Seasonal Report Archive for The Loon
The 2022-Fall Season
1 August through 30 November 2022
Paul E. Budde, Ezra M. Hosch, Doug W. Kieser, and Brian T. Smith

Among the 317 species found in this remarkable season were two new and one continuing first state record (Brown Booby, Phainopepla, and a continuing pair of Abert’s Towhees), five additional Accidentals (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck, Limpkin, Tricolored Heron, Swallow-tailed Kite, and Fork-tailed Flycatcher), and an impressive 21 individuals representing 12 Casual species.

A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck in mid-October was a first record for Washington County, while a King Eider on Lake Superior in mid-November was the third record for Lake County. All three scoters were well-represented away from Lake Superior; Surfs, in particular, were reported more widely south than in any other season. Wild Turkeys have been expanding northward over the last few decades. They were first reported in St. Louis County in 2006. This season, 63 in Sax-Zim Bog produced the highest statewide tally for the season. The second highest, interestingly, was from Lakewood Cemetery in the middle of Minneapolis. Western Grebe high counts are generally from Lake Osakis or the extreme western edge of the state, so 350 at Minnesota Lake in Faribault County was surprising.

A Rufous Hummingbird discovered in summer continued at Forest Lake, while another Selasphorus was spotted and photographed in Anoka County. Migrant Yellow Rails provided second county records for Dakota and Olmsted; all four records in these counties have been from October. The state’s second Limpkin was revealed in a post found on social media of a bird in Olmsted County in early August. The Sherburne N.W.R. official crane census shattered the state’s previous high count (14,578) when over 29,000 cranes were tallied in early November.

Soon to be Regular (but still Casual) Black-necked Stilts were seen in Big Stone and Steele counties. Another species expected to soon change status to Regular is Red Knot; one provided a first record for Sibley County. At the same location in Sibley, High Island Lake, a Western Sandpiper had been discovered earlier in the season. In late September, three different wastewater treatment lagoons in Stearns County hosted 1–3 Sabine’s Gulls, including one adult; another Sabine’s was a first record for Scott County. Hubbard County produced its first Iceland Gull when one was discovered on Kabekona Lake. Ten Lesser Black-backed Gulls was the most ever for a fall season, while the absence of any Great Black-backed Gulls continues the downward trend of reports of this species in the state. A Red-throated Loon in the St. Croix River was a first record for Washington County, while Pacific Loons were only found on Lake Superior.

Brown Booby has been expanding its range along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts over the last two decades, and vagrants occasionally wander northward into the interior of the continent. Still, it was quite a surprise when the first one for Minnesota was found along the Mississippi River in Winona in early August (The Loon 94:160–164). Twin Cities birders have come to expect to see a Neotropic Cormorant in Richfield in the summer and fall. One this season didn’t disappoint them, while another was surprising as it was a first record for Meeker County. The first Tricolored Heron in the fall in over 30 years was a first record for Blue Earth County. The north had more Cattle Egret reports (3) than did the south (1); one of those north reports was a first record for Koochiching County. The only Yellow-crowned Night-Heron seen was an adult photographed in Freeborn County. White-faced Ibis reports were the best for fall ever and included a surprising visitor to Bloomington.

Counters at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory found Swallow-tailed and Mississippi kites this season, both in late August. Two Barn Owls were documented via nocturnal audio recordings in Houston and Olmsted counties. Snowy Owls first appeared in the state in the latter half of November in three northern counties and at MSP Airport. There were few reports of Great Gray Owls away from Sax-Zim Bog, and no reports of Northern Hawk or Boreal owls. The state’s fourth Fork-tailed Flycatcher was discovered at Stony Point, St. Louis County, in mid-September. The only Say’s Phoebe of the season was in Big Stone N.W.R. in mid-August.

If you wanted to find a White-eyed Vireo in the fall season, where would you look? Your best bet would be to try Cook County. One in Grand Marais this season makes it the only county with three fall records. Another one was found this season in Washington County on the same day.

An exciting first record for the state was a Phainopepla discovered in late October along Lake Superior in Duluth (The Loon 94:171–173). This bird, normally of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, was seen over four days and delighted many. Approximately 16 Townsend’s Solitaires were discovered in the state, beginning in late September. The only Varied Thrushes were seen in Cook and Aitkin at the very end of the season. Eurasian Tree Sparrows, another species with Casual status that is likely to change with the next Checklist, were observed in Polk and Meeker counties; another was a first record for Goodhue County.

An Evening Grosbeak provided a first record for McLeod County, while others were found south in Washington, Wabasha, and Houston counties — all in November. After two good fall seasons of redpolls, this fall was below-average in numbers of Commons while Hoary Redpolls never arrived. First county records of Smith’s Longspurs were found in Olmsted and Waseca, and one in Clay was the first for that county since 1998. Two other individuals were record early, one north and one south.

New high fall counts of Grasshopper and Clay-colored sparrows were tallied in Clay and Polk counties, respectively. A Harris’s Sparrow photographed in Duluth was the first August record of this species since 2000, and only the third ever. The two first-state-record Abert’s Towhees — first found in Grand Rapids in June — lingered through late November (The Loon 94:174–178). A Spotted Towhee discovered at the end of the season was a first record for Faribault County. Yellow-throated Warblers were documented in Houston, Washington, and Cass counties. A female Painted Bunting in mid-November provided a first record for Polk County (The Loon 95:50); it was only the fifth fall record and one of very few individuals found that was not in adult male plumage.

Weather: For most of the season, average state temperatures by month were 1° to 2° (F) above normal. The season’s high was 101° on 2 August in Marshall, Lyon County, though 99° in Lamberton on 20 September was also notable. By the end of September, most of the state had experienced its first hard frost. November began with unseasonable warm weather as daily records were set at several locations across the state on the 2nd with readings in the 70s, but by the 18th and 19th some northern locations recorded below zero temperatures. The season’s coldest reading was ¯8° in Goodridge, Pennington County, on the 30th.

Precipitation in August statewide was slightly above average, fueled mostly by a series of storms across central and southern parts of the state early in the month and a line of strong thunderstorms and tornadoes that passed through the Twin Cities on the 27th. September was quite dry in most of the state, though rainfall in Grand Portage, Cook County, was almost two inches above normal. October was quite dry as the statewide average precipitation total was only 25% or normal. The first widespread measurable snowfall occurred on the 14th when snows accumulated from the Twin Cities north to the Arrowhead region. November was wetter than normal, though not all areas of the state shared in the precipitation. A series of thunderstorms from the 8th to 12th dropped twice the normal monthly total of precipitation in the forms of rain and snow to a swath from central Minnesota to Duluth. Another southwest to northeast storm on the 29th brought 4–8" of snow to the Mankato area, and as much as 32" to one station in Lake County.

Documented reports still under review: Selasphorus hummingbird 8/14 Anoka; Red Knot 8/29 St. Louis.

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Dave Cahlander for building and maintaining the Seasonal Reports submission and production web pages (http://moumn.org/moureports/season.php) through which most of this data is collected and organized. We are also grateful for the additional data provided for the creation of this report by eBird (http://www.ebird.org, accessed January 2023). Medians of recent arrivals and departures are based on published and unpublished seasonal report data from the 25-year period 1997 through 2021. Weather data is from the Minnesota DNR’s HydroClim Minnesota newsletter (https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/hydroclim/index.html). Finally and most importantly, our appreciation goes out to all those who contribute their sightings data to the MOU. We are especially grateful to those who respond to our requests for details and who submit observations online.

 Washington, DC; Mahtomedi, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Sleepy Eye, MN.

Key to the Seasonal Report
1.Upper case (LEAST TERN) indicates a Casual or Accidental species in the state.
2.Species are listed in brackets [Whooping Crane] when there is a reasonable doubt as to its origin or wildness.
3.Bracketed text following a species’ name indicates the total number of north and south counties.
4.Dates listed in bold (10/9) indicate an occurrence either earlier, later, or within the three earliest or latest dates on file.
5.Counties listed in bold (Aitkin) indicate an unusual occurrence for that county.
6.Counties listed in bold and with an underline (Becker) indicate a first county record.
7.Counties listed in italics (Crow Wing) indicate a first county breeding record.
8.Totals in bold (150) indicate a total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
9.Totals in bold-italic (55) indicate a CBC total within or exceeding the top three high counts for that species.
10.Dagger “†” preceding observer’s initials denotes written documentation was submitted.
11“ph.” denotes a species documented with a photograph.
12.“v.t.” denotes a species documented by video.
13.“a.t.” denotes a species documented by audio.
14.High counts that are multiples of 100 are assumed or known to be estimates, unless otherwide noted.
The Seasonal Report  is a compilation of seasonal bird sightings from throughout Minnesota. We particularly invite reports from parts of the state that have been neglected or covered lightly in past reports. To become a contributor, contact the Editor of The Loon (editor AT moumn.org).

Species

N S

Information

Whistling-Ducks, Geese, Swans, Ducks
BLACK-BELLIED WHISTLING-DUCK
(Dendrocygna autumnalis)
1 One report of this Accidental species: 10/10 Washington (found with a flock of Mallards in a wetland near Lake Elmo) ph. †JVA.
Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens)
2432 Early north (median 9/7) 9/2 Roseau KRE, CRM, m.ob., 9/3 Beltrami ebd. Early south migrants (median 9/13) 9/24 McLeod (3) BHa, Rock PRH, 9/25 Kandiyohi JWd. High counts 11/11 Pipestone (250, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl, 10/28 Pennington (220, Rocksbury Twp) KEm. Late north 11/11 Clay (Moorhead) DPW, (Cromwell Twp.) PBB, St. Louis (2) JLK, Wilkin (5) TkL, 11/22 Clay (Hawley) TkL (median 11/18). Late south 11/30 Dakota (2) TaP, ebd, but also see winter report (median 12/16).
Ross's Goose
(Anser rossii)
513 Early north (median 9/21) 9/23 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SeM, ebd, 9/23–24 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, ebd, 9/24 Marshall (6) HHu. Early south (median 10/10) 9/27–30 Benton (5, Foley W.T.P.) HHD, MJB, PLJ, JGW, 10/6 Sibley JWZ, JGW. High count 11/11 Pipestone (22, Pipestone W.T.P.) VKl. Late north 11/6 Lake (Two Harbors) KRE, VRL, KOC, 11/8 St. Louis JLK (median 10/26). Late south 11/25 Hennepin MwT, AnB, ebd, 11/26–27 Sherburne (Big Lake) RSk, ebd, 11/28 Murray RJS (median 12/3).
Greater White-fronted Goose
(Anser albifrons)
722 Early north (median 10/5) 8/4–21 Grant (2, North Ottawa Impoundment; one, perhaps injured, was at this location much of the summer, but was joined by another on 8/4) DBi, KHg, ToM, MHn, LsW, 9/21 Beltrami (2) EHi, 10/20 Grant (65) PEJ. Early south (median 9/22) 8/26 Lyon (1) RJS, 9/24–26 Stearns (max. 8, Albany W.T.P.) HHD, DRL, m.ob., 9/29 Redwood WCM. High count 10/25 Cottonwood (150, Wolf Lake W.P.A.) KEm. Late north 10/31 Cass ebd, Clay (21, Felton Prairie) TCL, 11/11 Clay (100, Barnesville) TkL, (2, Cromwell Twp.) PBB, (24, Moorhead) DPW, Grant (30) CNn (median 11/2). Late south 11/13 Lyon (14) GWe, Carver (30) ebd, 11/16 Dakota (3) CRe (median 12/8).
Cackling Goose
(Branta hutchinsii)
2035 Early north (median 9/10) 8/6 St. Louis (Park Point) JLK, 9/3–4 Roseau (max. 2) CRM, m.ob. Early south (median 9/18) 9/22–23 Washington (2) ebd, 9/24 Ramsey (Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary) MWS. High counts 10/7–8 Marshall (200, Warren W.T.P.) HHu, 10/28 Pennington (150, 150th St. NE) JGW. Late north 11/14 Beltrami (4) ebd, 11/17 St. Louis (1) ebd, 11/29 Otter Tail (2) TFu (median 12/17). See winter report for late south migrants.
Canada Goose
(Branta canadensis)
3453 Reported from all counties in the state and throughout the season. High counts 11/13 Sherburne (3,000, Big Lake) BAb, 11/21 Washington (3,000, Grey Cloud Island) PNi.
Mute Swan
(Cygnus olor)
4 All south reports of probable wild birds: 8/1 – 11/28 Hennepin (max. 2, seen primarily at Old Cedar Ave. Bridge; continuing from summer season) BAb, m.ob., 8/22 – 11/6 Dakota (3, Lock and Dam #2 and Lake Rebecca Park) KDS, ebd, 11/7–20 Washington (max. 3, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A. and Hazen P. Mooers Park) KDS, ebd, 11/22 Wabasha (Lake City) MNb.
Trumpeter Swan
(Cygnus buccinator)
3450 Reported in all regions and throughout the season. High counts (none with ID details) 11/26 Sherburne (285, near Big Lake) RSk, 11/24 Hubbard (225, Park Rapids) ebd, 11/6 Houston (200, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) ebd, 11/13 Hennepin (200, Minnesota Valley N.W.R. and Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) IaH, ebd, 11/21 Hennepin (200, Medicine Lake) BLz.
Tundra Swan
(Cygnus columbianus)
2234 Early north (median 10/1) 9/25 St. Louis (2) ebd, 10/2 Todd (3) ebd, 10/6 Polk (8) HHu. Early south (median 10/11) 10/5 Meeker (6) ebd, 10/10 Freeborn (2) ebd, 10/12 Hennepin (2) ebd. High count 11/18 Houston (6,000, Brownsville Overlook) ebd. Late north 11/19 Hubbard (5) ebd, Pine ebd, Wadena (18) ebd, 11/24 Cass (22) AxB, 11/24–25 Beltrami (max. 35) AxB, ebd (median 11/29). See winter report for late south.
Wood Duck
(Aix sponsa)
3453 Reported throughout the state and season. High count 8/19 Big Stone (320, Karl Slough, counted by fives) SSP.
Blue-winged Teal
(Spatula discors)
3353 Reported throughout the state and season. High count 8/20 Sibley (1,565, High Island Lake, counted by fives) EzH, IsH. Late north 11/13–16 Beltrami (max. 3, Lake Irving) AxB, 11/14 Pine KrM (median 10/30). Late south 11/16, 11/20 Hennepin JuW, DAh, 11/30 Dakota KDS (median 11/13).
Northern Shoveler
(Spatula clypeata)
2547 High counts 11/7 Meeker (300, Lake Ripley) DPG, 9/3 Polk (250, Crookston W.T.P.) GHo. Late north 11/13 Carlton (2) LiH, 11/16 Beltrami ebd, 11/17 Crow Wing MJB. See winter report for late south migrants and overwintering birds.
Gadwall
(Mareca strepera)
2743 High count 11/9 Houston (800, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) ebd, 10/29 Dakota (500, Upper Gun Club Lake) BBr. Late north 11/17 Beltrami AxB, 11/18–19 Becker NaH (median 12/4). See winter report for late south and overwintering birds.
American Wigeon
(Mareca americana)
2640 High count 11/11 Houston (750, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) ebd. Late north 11/13–19 Beltrami (max. 3, Lake Irving ) AxB, ebd, 11/14 Becker NaH (median 11/20), but also see winter report.
Mallard
(Anas platyrhynchos)
3452 Reported throughout the state. High counts 11/13 Lyon (2,650, Cottonwood Lake) GWe, 10/4 Aitkin (1,428, Rice Lake N.W.R. Fall Waterfowl Count) CyC.
American Black Duck
(Anas rubripes)
1117 Reported north away from Lake Superior in Beltrami, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Itasca, Koochiching, Marshall, Pine, Roseau. Early south (median 8/15) 8/1 Ramsey (5) ebd, 8/7 Hennepin (3) ebd, 8/17 Freeborn ebd, Scott ebd, Sherburne ebd. High counts 10/17 St. Louis (18, H.R.N.R.) JsC, 10/21 Houston (16, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) ebd.
Mallard X American Black Duck
(Anas platyrhynchos X A. rubripes)
24 Reported north from Cook and St. Louis, and south from Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Wabasha. Details provided for 10/21–29 Cook COg, m.ob., and 11/7 Wabasha (Pool 5) PEJ.
Northern Pintail
(Anas acuta)
2544 High counts 10/25, 11/5 Hennepin (200, Minnesota Valley N.W.R. and Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 11/6 Houston (200, Brownsville Overlook) BDo, LiH. See winter report for more late north and south migrants and overwintering birds.
Green-winged Teal
(Anas crecca)
3250 High counts 11/4 Stearns (414, Albany W.T.P.) PCC, 10/21 Yellow Medicine (375, Miedd Lake) GWe. Late north 11/16 Beltrami (2) AxB, 11/17–19 St. Louis (1, Stone Lake) KTP (median 11/18). See winter report for late south migrants and overwintering birds.
Canvasback
(Aythya valisineria)
1836 High count 11/25 Houston (500, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) EzH, IsH. Late north 11/22–25 Beltrami AxB, ebd, 11/23 Otter Tail (5) TFu (median 12/4). See winter report for late migrants and overwintering birds.
Redhead
(Aythya americana)
2842 High count 11/5 Kandiyohi (210, Lake Lillian) ebd. Late north 11/27–30 Beltrami (max. 7, Bemidji) AxB, ebd (median 12/12). See winter report for late migrants and overwintering birds.
Ring-necked Duck
(Aythya collaris)
2942 High counts 10/11 Aitkin (4,835, Rice Lake N.W.R. Fall Waterfowl Count) CyC, 10/25 Ramsey (2,800, Vadnais Lake, counted by tens) EzH, LiH. Late north 11/28 Douglas ebd, 11/29–30 Beltrami (max. 5, Bemidji) AxB, ebd (median 12/6). See winter report for late migrants and overwintering birds.
Greater Scaup
(Aythya marila)
1019 Earliest north reports all from Duluth, beginning 9/13 KDx, ClN, First north reports away from Duluth 10/5 Cook (2) JPr, Otter Tail (4) ebd (medan 9/25). Early south (median 10/17) 10/12–22 Ramsey (max. 3, Bald Eagle and Vadnais Lakes) MWS, LiH, 10/19 Big Stone DLP, 10/22 Pope ebd. High counts 11/16 Beltrami (50, Lake Irving) AxB, 10/10 St. Louis (36, Park Point) JLK. Late north 11/25–29 Beltrami (2, Bemidji) AxB, ebd, 11/27 St. Louis (2, Superior Entry) LiH, TWe (median 12/16). See winter report for latest migrants and overwintering birds.
Lesser Scaup
(Aythya affinis)
2140 High counts 11/4 Lyon (200, Cottonwood Lake) RJS, 11/16 Beltrami (200, Lake Irving) AxB. Late north 11/27 Cass ebd, St. Louis (Superior Entry) LiH, TWe, 11/29–30 Beltrami (max. 41, Lake Bemidji) AxB, DvH, (median 12/18). See winter report for late migrants and overwintering birds.
KING EIDER
(Somateria spectabilis)
1 Third county record of this Casual species: 11/16–18 Lake (immature male, Two Harbors) ph. AwG, ph. †HTo, ph. †TPu, m.ob.
Harlequin Duck
(Histrionicus histrionicus)
2 All north: 8/1 – 11/11 Cook (max. 2, female type, Grand Marais; at least one likely continuing from summer) JBn, ph. PEJ, ebd, m.ob., 10/28 Lake (female type, Silver Bay) LiH.
Surf Scoter
(Melanitta perspicillata)
613 Early north (median 9/30) 9/25 – 10/3 St. Louis (max. 10, Duluth) TWe, HTo, BLz, KRE, JHe, ebd. Three north records away from Lake Superior: 10/23 Hubbard (3, Garfield Lake) ANy, DBz, 10/31 Otter Tail (2, Lake Crystal) ebd, 11/1 Cass ANy, DBz. Late north 11/1 Cass ANy, DBz, Cook (Taconite Harbor) KDS, GHo, 11/4 Cook (Grand Marais) ebd, St. Louis MLH. All south 10/7 Rice (2) ebd, 10/12–26 Ramsey (max. 3, Bald Eagle Lake) ELC, MWS, ebd, m.ob., 10/13 – 11/13 Hennepin (5 birds at three locations) ClB, m.ob., 10/15 Faribault (2, Wells W.T.P.) ph. PEJ, 10/20–21 Lac qui Parle (max. 7, Salt Lake) WCM, 10/20–23 Meeker (2, Lake Ripley) BNn, ph. PKF, 10/27 – 11/2 Carver (Lake Waconia) WCM, TWe, 10/27 – 11/20 Washington (8 birds at three locations) HCT, BDo, 10/28 – 11/13 Dakota (max. 2, Lake Marion) LrV, CJa, m.ob., 11/5–14 Olmsted (2, Silver Creek Reservoir) JPr, ebd, m.ob., 11/9–15 Goodhue (2, Lake Pepin) ph. PEJ, 11/13 Meeker (Clear Lake C.P.) MJB, 11/16–18 Wabasha (max. 5, Pool 5) PEJ, 11/22 Stearns (Grand Lake) PCC (median 11/24). High count 10/3 St. Louis (10, Lake Superior) HTo, ebd.
White-winged Scoter
(Melanitta deglandi)
38 Early north (median 10/6) 10/13 St. Louis (Stony Point) ebd, 10/16 St. Louis (Superior Entry) GWe. Also found in Cook (10/20 - 11/13) and Lake (10/26 - 11/24). No north reports away from Lake Superior. All south 10/15 Benton HHD, 10/20 Lac qui Parle (3, Salt Lake) WCM, 10/26 – 11/1 Hennepin (Medicine Lake) TWe, m.ob., 10/29 Washington (Lakeside Memorial Park) BDo, 11/4–5 Olmsted (2, East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir) JPr, m.ob., 11/17 Le Sueur (Lake Sakatah) LHi, 11/18–27 Wabasha (Pool 5 and Lake Pepin) PEJ, 11/21 Goodhue (Lake Pepin) PEJ, 11/24 Washington (Point Douglas Park) DnS (median 12/5). High count 10/30 Cook (10, Grand Marais & Taconite Harbor) PEJ. Also see winter report for late migrants north and south.
Black Scoter
(Melanitta americana)
39 Early north (median 10/5) 10/8–20 St. Louis (Park Point) JWL, JLK, ebd. Reported in St. Louis through 11/24, and in Cook 10/23 – 11/13. One north report away from Lake Superior: 10/28 – 11/3 Mille Lacs (max. 2, near Onamia) MtS, AaL, CLu, m.ob. All south 10/15 Hennepin (Baker P.R.) KOC, 10/19 Carver (Lake Waconia) TWe, 10/24 Rice TFB, 10/24–28 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) LAV, †JPr, m.ob., 10/27 Dakota (Orchard Lake) TaP, m.ob., 10/27 – 11/14 Dakota/Rice (max. 5, Lake Marion) TaP, m.ob., 11/5–9 Olmsted (max. 4, Cascade Lake) ToM, LAV, JWH, 11/9–23 Hennepin (max. 2, Medicine Lake) TWe, m.ob., 11/10 Ramsey (2, Sucker Lake) LiH, 11/10–12 Wright (max. 13, season high count, Lake Pulaski) ToL, TWE, JHe, ebd, 11/12–17 Waseca (Clear Lake) BAb, DWK, LHi, 11/16–18 Wabasha (Pool 5) PEJ, 11/24–27 Ramsey (Bald Eagle Lake) ClB, m.ob. (median 11/28).
Long-tailed Duck
(Clangula hyemalis)
65 Early north (median 10/16) 10/22–28 Cook (max. 3, Grand Marias and Good Harbor Bay) KRE, CRM, m.ob., 10/28 St. Louis ebd. Additional north reports away from Lake Superior 11/13 Carlton (3, Moose Lake W.T.P.) LiH, 11/11–30 Beltrami (max. 3, Bemidji) AxB, ph. DvH, ebd. All south 11/12 Rice (Mazaska Lake) MZa, AvB, 11/13 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) DnS, 11/16–21 Meeker (Lake Ripley and Lake Manuella) MJB, PKF, DWK, ANy, DBz, 11/18–27 Wabasha (max. 2, juveniles, Lake Pepin) PEJ, 11/22–27 Hennepin (adult male, Medicine Lake) MJB, m.ob.
Bufflehead
(Bucephala albeola)
2841 Early south (median 9/17) 8/19 Stevens (Fish Lake) SSP, 9/12 Stevens (2, Crystal Lake) ebd, 10/1 Lyon (1, Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe. High count 10/26–27 Cass (350, Walker W.T.P.) BEc, ebd. See winter report for late migrants north and south and overwintering birds.
Common Goldeneye
(Bucephala clangula)
2633 Early south (median 10/15) 10/13 Ramsey LiH, 10/15 Washington ebd, 10/17 Olmsted (2) JmP. High counts 11/18 Goodhue (550, Lake Pepin) PEJ, 11/13 Hennepin (440, Medicine Lake) RCl.
Barrow's Goldeneye
(Bucephala islandica)
No reports.
Hooded Merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus)
3247 Reported statewide. High count 11/26 Ramsey (770, Vadnais Lake) BBr.
Common Goldeneye X Hooded Merganser
(Bucephala clangula X Lophodytes cucullatus)
1 One documented report 11/27 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) ph. TPu, MwT, AnB.
Common Merganser
(Mergus merganser)
2226 Early south (median 10/20) 8/1–19 Sherburne (Sherburne National N.W.R.) ebd. First reports away from Sherburne 10/18 Carver (5) ebd, 10/19 Le Sueur (5) DOr, Ramsey LiH. High count 11/23–28 Wabasha (2,000, Lake City) MwT, TaP, ebd.
Red-breasted Merganser
(Mergus serrator)
1122 Reports from the Northeast spanned the season. Late north away from Lake Superior: 11/17 Crow Wing (10) MJB, 11/21 Otter Tail TFu, 11/29–30 Beltrami DvH, AxB. Early south (median 10/27) 10/13–18 Carver TWe, ebd, 10/15 Sherburne ebd. High count 11/17 Benton (85, Little Rock C.P.) MJB.
Ruddy Duck
(Oxyura jamaicensis)
1842 High counts 10/31 Wright (235, Pelican Lake) RCl, 10/6 Hennepin (200, Plymouth) ebd, 10/30 Scott (200, Cedar Lake) BxP. Late north (median 11/16) 11/5 Mille Lacs (30) LMc, ebd, 11/11 Clay ebd, Wilkin ebd, 11/23 Hubbard (4) AxB, ebd. See winter report for late south migrants and overwintering birds (median 12/19).
Partridge, Pheasants, Grouse, Turkeys
Wild Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo)
3050 Reported statewide. High counts 10/15 St. Louis (63, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 11/17 Hennepin (58, Lakewood Cemetery) BAF.
Ruffed Grouse
(Bonasa umbellus)
2715 Reported north from every county but Clay, Grant, Mahnomen Pennington, Red Lake, Traverse, Wilkin. Reported south from Sherburne, Stearns, the East-central (Anoka, Isanti, Chisago, Washington) and the Southeast (Dakota, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Scott, Wabasha, Winona). High count 10/15 St. Louis (16, Taconite Trail west to Twin Lakes) MPi.
Spruce Grouse
(Canachites canadensis)
5 Reported north from Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, St. Louis. High count 11/5 Cook (8, Superior N.F.) ebd.
Sharp-tailed Grouse
(Tympanuchus phasianellus)
11 North reports from Aitkin, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, St. Louis. High count 10/18 Polk (37, Angus Oslo 4 Flood Control Project) HHu.
Greater Prairie-Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido)
3 Found north in Clay (including a high count on 10/20 of 50 at Bluestem Prairie S.N.A. TkL), Norman, Polk.
Gray Partridge
(Perdix perdix)
912 The highest number of fall reports statewide in the last 10 years. Reported north from the Northwest (Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Polk, Red Lake, Norman, Clay) and West-central (Traverse, Wilkin). Found south in Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Martin, Mower, Murray, Pipestone, Renville, Steele, Watonwan. High counts 9/23 Renville (18, near the Renville/Kandiyohi line) PKF, 11/24 Polk (17, near Tabor) HHu.
Ring-necked Pheasant
(Phasianus colchicus)
1853 Reported as far north as Mahnomen in the Northwest and Meadowlands, St. Louis County in the Northeast. High count 11/5 Yellow Medicine (75, Wood Lake Twp.) BrR.
Grebes
Pied-billed Grebe
(Podilymbus podiceps)
3351 High counts 9/4 Roseau (90, Roseau River W.M.A.) BAb, 9/28 Douglas (40, Lake Osakis) MJB, 10/19–22 Carver (40, Lake Waconia) LSw, TWe. Late north 11/24 Beltrami AxB, Clay (2) ebd, 11/25 Itasca ebd (median 12/4). For late south migrants see winter report.
Horned Grebe
(Podiceps auritus)
1431 Early south (median 9/3) 8/21 Chisago ANy, 9/3 Rock (2, Hills W.T.P.) PRH, 9/9 Big Stone DLP. High count 11/6 Wabasha (32, Pioneer Club) BDo, LiH. Late north 11/16 Beltrami (5) AxB, 11/26 St. Louis ebd (median 11/24). Late south 11/28 Hennepin MZa, Wabasha BLz (median 12/1) Also see winter report for latest migrants north and south.
Red-necked Grebe
(Podiceps grisegena)
2413 High count 8/7 St. Louis (11, Bear Head Lake S.P.) ebd. Late north 11/20 St. Louis NGi, 11/23 Hubbard AxB, ebd, 11/27 Lake (Two Harbors) TWe (median 11/30). Late south 11/13 Hennepin (Medicine Lake) RCl, ebd, (Lake Nokomis) AwG, BAF, Olmsted LAV, 11/22 Washington DnS, PNi, BDo, ebd (median 11/19).
Eared Grebe
(Podiceps nigricollis)
1112 High counts 8/12 Polk (14, Brandt-Angus Impoundment) HHu, 9/3 Pennington (14, Thief River Falls W.T.P.) GHo, KDS. Late north 9/13 Becker (2) ebd, Norman (2) TCL, 9/14 Pennington HHu, 9/15–17 Marshall (Warren W.T.P.) HHu (median 10/15). Late south 10/6 Brown (2) WCM, 10/9 Lac qui Parle (2) ebd, 11/6 Olmsted JPr, MiD, JWH (median 10/24).
Western Grebe
(Aechmophorus occidentalis)
813 High count 8/17 Faribault (350, Minnesota Lake) PEJ. Late north 11/15–20 St. Louis (Park Point) JLK, ebd, 11/26 Otter Tail WyR (median 11/7). Late south 11/13 Hennepin ebd, 11/18 Wabasha PEJ, 11/19 Watonwan ARW (median 11/16).
Clark's Grebe
(Aechmophorus clarkii)
No fall reports since 2017.
Pigeons, Doves
Rock Pigeon
(Columba livia)
3353 Found statewide. High counts 9/28 Ramsey (1,100, railroad yard near Little Pigs Eye Lake) BBr, 10/19 Hennepin (500, Riverside Towers) GrS.
Eurasian Collared-Dove
(Streptopelia decaocto)
2049 Reported south from every county except Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Washington. In the north, generally reported southwest of a line from Roseau to Wadena to Kanabec. No reports from the Northeast. High counts 11/27 Dakota (72, Miesville) KDS, 11/14 Brown (59, Comfrey) BTS.
Mourning Dove
(Zenaida macroura)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 8/20 Lyon (400, estimated by 10s, Russell) GWe, 8/7 Stearns (170, near Augusta) MJB.
Cuckoos
Yellow-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus americanus)
421 All north 8/13 Polk (near Foster) ebd, 8/14 Becker (Tamarac N.W.R.) ebd, 9/25 Lake (Silver Bay) JlB, 10/7 Otter Tail (Glendalough S.P.) RBW. No high counts greater than 2. Late south 9/17 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 9/22 Wabasha (Lake City) ebd, 9/30 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) HHD (median 9/18).
Black-billed Cuckoo
(Coccyzus erythropthalmus)
1217 No high count greater than 2. Late north 9/18 Lake (Flood Bay State Wayside) JWL, St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JLK, ebd, 9/25 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, 10/6 St. Louis (Moose Valley) ASu, ebd (median 9/19). Late south 9/17 Isanti GWe, 9/22 Lyon RJS, 9/27 Ramsey ebd (median 9/16).
Nightjars
Common Nighthawk
(Chordeiles minor)
2850 High counts 8/18 St. Louis (4,200, Lester River Mouth) JGr, 8/23 Lake (3,345, Two Harbors, Lakeview Cemetery) JWL, SLL. Late north 10/4 Clay (8) ebd, 10/5 Wilkin (2) ebd, 10/11 St. Louis JsC, ebd (median 10/1). Late south 10/9 Olmsted ebd, 10/11 Faribault (3) BAy, 10/21 Cottonwood KEm (median 10/9).
Eastern Whip-poor-will
(Antrostomus vociferus)
76 High count 8/25 Crow Wing (5, Brainerd, Barrows C.P.) CRM, m.ob. Late north 9/8 Cook (2, Sea Gull Lake) BDG, 9/10 Lake (2, Fall Lake Twp.) ebd, 9/12 St. Louis SLF (median 9/11). Late south 9/8 Anoka (Bunker Hills R.P.) ebd, 9/9 Sherburne (Sand Dunes S.F.) ebd, MKp, 9/18 Anoka (2, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) MZa (median 9/9).
Swifts
Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica)
2049 High count 8/30 Washington (1,200, Mahtomedi High School) JEc. Late north 9/10–13 St. Louis (max. 2, several locations) NGi, ClN, JDx, ebd (median 9/14). Late south 9/20 Rice ebd, Scott ebd, Steele (2) ebd, 9/21 Nobles JCC, 10/12 Goodhue PEJ (median 10/5).
Hummingbirds
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
(Archilochus colubris)
3150 Reported throughout the state. High counts 8/12 Wabasha (17, Lake City) ebd, 8/29 St. Louis (16, Brighton Beach) HTo, StK, ebd. Late north 9/29 Cass EHi, 10/1 Cook ebd, 10/14 Itasca ebd (median 9/27). Late south 10/7 Mower RNS, 10/8 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey ebd (median 10/14).
RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
(Selasphorus rufus)
1 One first seen in summer continued through 8/29 in Washington (adult male visiting feeders at a residence in Forest Lake) ph. †SDA.
Selasphorus hummingbird
(Selasphorus sp.)
1 One Rufous/Allen’s Hummingbird report from Anoka 8/14 is still under consideration by the records committee.
Rails, Gallinules, Coots
Virginia Rail
(Rallus limicola)
1620 High count 9/16 Anoka (4, Carlos Avery Pool 9) ETw, MFl. Late north 10/4 Otter Tail WPl, 10/7 Pine ebd, 10/9 Douglas JEl (median 9/16). Late south 10/20 Hennepin (Bass Ponds) DWK, 10/23 Hennepin (Lake Camelot) ebd, 10/27 – 11/3 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ABL, LSw, ebd (median 10/13).
Sora
(Porzana carolina)
2542 High counts 9/1 Wadena (30, Yaeger Lake W.M.A.) EHi, 9/20 Hennepin (26, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge, some visible and others heard) JuW. Late north 10/19 Lake KOC, 10/22 Pine ebd, 11/1 St. Louis ASu, ebd (median 10/5). Late south 11/5 Olmsted JPr, JKu, JmP, LHi, 11/5–17 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) GrS, TAT, DWK, ebd (median 10/16).
Common Gallinule
(Gallinula galeata)
14 One north 8/9 Grant (1, Mud Lake W.M.A.) ebd. All south 8/1–12 Carver (1, near Maher) TWe, m.ob., 8/6–31 Wabasha (max. 3, Whitewater W.M.A.) BAb, LHl, KRE, m.ob., 8/11 – 9/22 Sibley (max. 4, Sand Lake) BTS, MiO, m.ob., 9/10 Freeborn (2, Arrowhead C.P.) JWH, JGW.
American Coot
(Fulica americana)
3048 Reported statewide throughout the season. High counts 10/19 Hennepin (7,400, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) BBr, 10/17 Meeker (6,200, Lake Washington, counted by 100s) RMa.
Yellow Rail
(Coturnicops noveboracensis)
2 Two south reports 10/20 Dakota (Eagan, found stuck in a vestibule of a department store and released) fide ph. LSc, 10/24 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) †JWH, †JPr, LAV, JmP.
Limpkin
LIMPKIN
(Aramus guarauna)
1 The second state record of this Accidental species: 8/6–8 Olmsted (Lake George, Rochester) fide ph. †KEM.
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
(Antigone canadensis)
3239 Reported throughout the state with only scattered reports from the Southwest. High counts 11/8 Sherburne (29,256, Sherburne N.W.R., official refuge crane census) CyC. Late north 11/17 Crow Wing (3) PSP, 11/19 Wadena PJB, 11/21 Marshall (near Warren) HHu (median 11/14). Late south 11/25 Sherburne (38, near Santiago) PLJ, 11/27 Chisago (2, Wild River S.P.) ebd (median 11/29).
Stilts, Avocets
BLACK-NECKED STILT
(Himantopus mexicanus)
2 Two south reports of this casual species: 8/3–14 Big Stone (max. 4, C.R. 61 and C.R. 28, continuing from summer) ph. †DLP, ph. †CRM, m.ob., 8/6 Steele (2, Armstrong Wetland Restoration) †DWK.
American Avocet
(Recurvirostra americana)
414 All north 8/2 – 9/3 Grant (max. 8, North Ottawa Impoundment and also near Wendell) PLJ, MMk, ebd, m.ob., 9/10 Marshall (2, Agassiz Valley) HHu, 8/7 – 9/11 Otter Tail (max. 5, Orwell W.M.A.) ebd, 9/10 Polk (3) ebd. High counts 9/10 Sibley (11, High Island Lake) RBW, 8/3–4 Grant (8, North Ottawa Impoundment) PLJ, DBi, 9/10 Brown (8, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) BTS, JSc, RBW. Fourteen south reporting counties is the highest number ever for the fall season. Early south 8/2–12 Big Stone (max. 3) DLP, 8/10 Redwood (2, Lake Redwood Dredge Area) RJS (median 8/3). Late south 10/9 Rice (1, near Montgomery) RBW, ebd, 10/21 Lyon (4, near Balaton) GWe, 10/25 Brown (3, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) BTS.
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
(Pluvialis squatarola)
916 Early north (median 8/7) 8/5–6 Grant KTe, ebd, 8/10 Marshall HHu. First south migrant (median 8/6) appeared 7/28–29 Sibley at end of summer season, then 8/3 Sherburne ebd, 8/6 Big Stone DLP. High count 9/10 St. Louis (10, Park Point) ebd. Late north 10/13–14 St. Louis JLK, BLz, ebd, 10/26 Grant (3) CNn (median 10/25). Late south 10/23 Lyon GWe, 10/31 Wright RCl, 11/4 Olmsted JPr, JmP (median 11/5).
American Golden-Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
1534 Early north (median 8/16) 8/5–10 Grant (max. 2, North Ottawa Impoundment) CRM, ebd, 8/17 Marshall ph. HHu. One early south (median 8/2) report 7/20 Cottonwood RAE late in the summer season then 8/7 Benton (6) EHi, ANy, TWe, 8/15 Dakota SDz. High counts 10/19 Wilkin (90, Breckenridge W.T.P.) PEJ, 10/2 Pipestone (55, Edgerton W.T.P.) ebd. Late north 10/23 Wilkin (12) ebd, 10/20 Grant (10) PEJ, 11/1 Marshall HHu (median 10/29). Late south 11/7–8 Brown BTS, 11/12 Lyon (3) GWe (median 11/8).
Killdeer
(Charadrius vociferus)
3353 Reported statewide. High counts 8/17 Redwood (300, near Milroy) RJS, 10/23 Sibley (234, High Island Lake) JCa. Late north 10/31 Grant ebd, 11/3 Mille Lacs CRM, m.ob., St. Louis ClN, ebd, 11/5 Cass ebd (median 10/25). Late south 11/21 Hennepin TWe, ebd, Wabsaha (Lake Pepin) MNb, 11/22 Ramsey LiH, 11/27 Wabasha (Millville) ebd, (Whitewater W.M.A.) CBv (median 12/25).
Semipalmated Plover
(Charadrius semipalmatus)
1732 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High counts 8/10 Sibley (37, High Island Lake) GWe, 8/6 Big Stone (16) DLP. Late north 9/16 Aitkin ebd, 9/18 St. Louis EHi, ebd, 9/20 Cook (2) ebd (median 10/4). Late south 9/24 Olmsted LAV, ToM, ebd, Sibley (2) EzH, 9/26 Big Stone ANy, 10/9 Rice (east of Farwell) RBW, 10/10 Rice ANy (median 10/11).
Piping Plover
(Charadrius melodus)
No reports.
Sandpipers
Upland Sandpiper
(Bartramia longicauda)
511 High count 8/2 Grant (4, North Ottawa Impoundment) PLJ. Late north 8/14 Grant (2) LSw, Traverse (2) BAr, 8/16 Kittson BCS (median 8/14). Late south 8/27 Pipestone LVD, 8/29 Brown BTS, 8/30 Ramsey AnA (median 8/24).
Whimbrel
(Numenius phaeopus)
No reports.
Hudsonian Godwit
(Limosa haemastica)
12 Only north report: 9/11 Douglas (3, Lake Osakis) ebd. All south 8/8 Blue Earth (Medo Twp.) ebd, 8/20 Sibley (12, High Island Lake) TWe, 8/22 Sibley (2, High Island Lake) ebd, 9/11 Sibley (High Island Lake) JWH, JGW, WCM.
Marbled Godwit
(Limosa fedoa)
33 All north 8/2 Clay (Felton Prairie) ebd, 8/6 Marshall (Agassiz Valley) HHu, 8/19 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd. All south 8/1, 8/7 Lac qui Parle DLP, 9/14–17 Hennepin (Purgatory Creek Wetlands) AOp, m.ob., 9/24 Sibley (High Island Lake) EzH.
Ruddy Turnstone
(Arenaria interpres)
42 All north 8/2 Otter Tail (Orwell W.M.A.) BAr, 8/20–22 St. Louis (max. 2, Park Point R.A.) IDv, StK, m.ob., 9/5 Cook (Paradise Beach) EHi, 9/12 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd. All south 8/31 Goodhue (Frontenac S.P.) SDz, 9/8 Sibley (High Island Lake) RBW.
RED KNOT
(Calidris canutus)
11 One north report 8/29–31 St. Louis (2, Park Point R.A.) is pending consideration by the records committee. One south report 9/27 Sibley (High Island Lake) †WCM.
Stilt Sandpiper
(Calidris himantopus)
1535 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 8/20 Sibley (400, High Island Lake) EzH, IsH. Late north 9/4 Marshall (14) GHo, KDS, Roseau CRM, m.ob., 9/12 Grant ANy, 10/2 Polk (8) SAu (median 9/22). Late south 10/11 Dakota ebd, 10/20 Lac qui Parle (4) WCM, 10/21 Lyon (two locations) GWe (median 10/19).
Sanderling
(Calidris alba)
813 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 9/10 St. Louis (32, Park Point R.A.) ebd. Late north 10/3 Crow Wing ANy, DBz, 10/3–4 St. Louis (2, Park Point R.A.) NGi, m.ob., 10/11 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ebd (median 10/11). Late south 9/25 Wright (2, Pelican Lake) RCl, 9/27–28 Sibley WCM, RBW, 9/30 Wright (3, Pelican Lake) RCl (median 10/21).
Dunlin
(Calidris alpina)
610 Early north (median 9/2) 8/10–19 Grant (2) BAr, m.ob., 9/2 Lake ebd, 9/11 Otter Tail (4) BAr. Early south (median 8/21) 9/17 Wright RCl, 10/1 Lyon (2) GWe, Olmsted JmP. High counts 10/28 Olmsted (11, Silver Creek Reservoir) LAV, 11/5 Big Stone (11) DLP. Late north 10/6 Clay TkL, 10/28 Marshall (6) AxB, m.ob., St. Louis PEJ (median 10/31). Late south 11/4 Big Stone (8, C.R. 10) DLP, Brown (2) BTS, Olmsted (max. 7, two locations) JPr, m.ob., 11/5–9 Big Stone (max. 11) DLP (median 11/8).
Baird's Sandpiper
(Calidris bairdii)
1328 See summer report for early north and south migrants. High count 8/17 Redwood (20, C.R. 8, Westline Twp.) RJS. Late north 9/17 Marshall (4) HHu, 9/19–21 St. Louis ebd, 9/22 Lake HCT (median 10/9). Late south 11/6 McLeod DWK, Olmsted ebd, 11/7 Brown BTS, 11/11 Stearns MtS (median 11/1).
Least Sandpiper
(Calidris minutilla)
2548 See summer report for early north and south migrants. High counts 8/21 Sibley (500, High Island Lake) KEm, 8/1 Sherburne (300, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd, 8/14 Sibley (300, High Island W.P.A.) KEm. Late north 9/22 St. Louis KEJ, 9/23–24 Marshall (max. 2) HHu, 10/13–21 Aitkin (max. 8) LBa (median 10/14). Late south 10/25 Big Stone DLP, Olmsted (5, Silver Creek Reservoir) JPr, JmP, 10/29 Olmsted (5, East Landfill Kalmar Reservoir) ToM, 10/27 – 11/3 Brown BTS, ARW (median 10/26).
White-rumped Sandpiper
(Calidris fuscicollis)
54 Early south 9/2 Renville (Bird Island) JWH, KEm. All north 8/25 Traverse DLP, 9/1 Cook (3, Grand Marais Harbor) ebd, Marshall (Warren W.T.P.) HHu, 9/14 Clay (2, Comstock W.T.P.) DnM, 10/29 Grant (14, season high count, North Ottawa Impoundment) PLJ. Late south 9/10 Stearns (4) PLJ, 10/8 Carver (2) JCy, 10/25 Brown BTS (median 10/8). Note: undocumented reports of fall migrants prior to September are not published.
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
(Calidris subruficollis)
717 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 8/4 Dakota (12, Waterford Twp.) MwT. Late north 9/6 Wadena ANy, 9/15 Aitkin (2) LBa, 9/18 St. Louis (4) ebd (median 9/21). Late south 9/28 Sibley RBW, Stearns HHD, 10/21–25 Brown BTS, m.ob. (median 9/22).
Pectoral Sandpiper
(Calidris melanotos)
2247 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 8/20 Sibley (1,145, High Island Lake) EzH, IsH. Late north 10/23 Hubbard ANy, 10/23–25 Becker (max. 8) NaH, 10/28 Marshall (max. 14) AxB, m.ob. (median 10/30). Late south 11/7 Olmsted (3) LAV, Rice RBW, 11/10 Wright ToL, 11/7–12 Brown BTS (median 11/11).
Semipalmated Sandpiper
(Calidris pusilla)
1739 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 8/20 Sibley (300, High Island Lake) EzH, IsH. Late north 9/8 St. Louis (2) ebd, 9/12 Marshall (2) HHu, 9/13 Traverse ANy (median 9/29). Late south 10/6 Lincoln (7) CRM, KBg, 10/16, 10/23 Pipestone (Edgerton W.T.P.) LVD (median 10/17).
WESTERN SANDPIPER
(Calidris mauri)
1 The state’s first fall record since 2007 was found 9/11 Sibley (High Island Lake) ph. †JGW, JWH.
Short-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus griseus)
1022 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High counts 8/19 Grant (47, North Ottawa Impoundment) SSP, 8/9 Otter Tail (40, Orwell W.M.A.) ebd. Late north 9/4 Beltrami (2) DvH, Pennington GHo, KDS, 9/4–5 Marshall HHu, 9/11 Otter Tail BAr (median 9/5). Late south 9/8 Hennepin VRL, 9/8–11 Sibley RBW, m.ob., 10/5 Faribault (no details) WAF (median 9/12).
Long-billed Dowitcher
(Limnodromus scolopaceus)
625 Early north (median 8/18) 8/22 Otter Tail BAr, 9/2 Lake of the Woods JJS, m.ob., 9/12 Grant (8) ANy. Early south (none with details) 8/3 Dakota ebd, 8/7 Lac qui Parle ebd, 8/8 Blue Earth ebd. High counts 10/21 Lyon (126, 170th St., Lyons Twp.) GWe, 10/1 Lyon (77, 170th St., Lyons Twp.) GWe. Late north 10/12 Polk (6) HHu, 10/19 Lake KRE, m.ob., 10/26 Grant (2) CNn (median 10/19). Late south 10/31 Carver (3) ebd, 11/1–4 Big Stone (max. 5) DLP, 10/31 – 11/6 Olmsted LAV, m.ob. (median 10/27).
American Woodcock
(Scolopax minor)
1615 High count 10/17 Carlton (6, Silver Brook Twp.) ebd. Late north 10/29 Itasca SC, 11/1 St. Louis ebd, 11/4 Cass ebd (median 11/1). Late south 11/8 Fillmore (2) ebd, Ramsey (University of Minnesota) AnA, 11/12 Ramsey (Little Pigs Eye Lake) JZj (median 11/5).
Wilson's Snipe
(Gallinago delicata)
3051 High count 10/20 Lac qui Parle (54, Plover Prairie) WCM. Late north 11/10 Beltrami AxB, 11/17 Pine KrM, 11/24 St. Louis JLK (median 11/15).
Spotted Sandpiper
(Actitis macularius)
3052 High count 8/19 Grant (28, North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd. Late north 9/30 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ebd, 10/3 Lake JWL, 10/10 St. Louis (2, Park Point R.A.) JLK (median 10/20). Late south 10/13 Chisago (3) GaJ, 10/17 Stearns MtS, 11/7 Big Stone (Big Stone Lake) DLP (median 10/16).
Solitary Sandpiper
(Tringa solitaria)
2846 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 8/26 Houston (13, Eitzen W.T.P.) EHi. Late north 9/24 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) ebd, 9/25 St. Louis (Ralph Rd., Cook) ebd, 9/27 Mille Lacs HHD (median 10/4). Late south 10/8 Hennepin ebd, 10/10 Swift DLP, 10/19 Pipestone ebd (median 10/11).
Lesser Yellowlegs
(Tringa flavipes)
2850 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High counts 8/20 Sibley (1,250, High Island Lake) EzH, IsH, 8/10 Sibley (810, High Island Lake) GWe. Late north 10/22 Marshall (2) HHu, 10/22–25 Clay (max. 6) ebd, 10/30 Polk HHu (median 10/24). Late south 11/5 Dakota (2, Lake Byllesby) KDS, 11/7 Dakota (140th St. Marsh) AnB, m.ob., Sherburne HHD (median 11/4).
Willet
(Tringa semipalmata)
37 All north 8/4 Otter Tail (2, Prairie Wetlands Learning Center) BAr, 8/13–14 Grant (max. 2, North Ottawa Impoundment) KHg, m.ob., 8/14 Traverse BAr, 8/18 Traverse (4, Wheaton W.T.P.) ebd, 8/28 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd. All south 8/1–2 Hennepin (Riverview Rd.) PRH, m.ob., 8/3 Le Sueur (Lake Pepin) DOr, 8/6 Big Stone (2) DLP, Brown (2, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) BTS, MiO, Carver (4, Tacoma Ave.) ABL, 8/14 Big Stone (Toqua Twp.) BAr, 8/26 Meeker (Litchfield Twp.) PKF, 9/11 Sibley (High Island Lake) JGW.
Greater Yellowlegs
(Tringa melanoleuca)
3049 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 8/13 Grant (50, North Ottawa Impoundment) ToM, m.ob. Late north 11/8 Cass (Mud Lake) ebd, 11/9 Cass (2, Lake Winnibigoshish) AxB, 11/11 Clay PBB (median 11/6). Late south 11/12 Hennepin (2) DnS, PNi, 11/13 Olmsted KHg, ebd, 11/16 Scott ebd (median 11/13).
Wilson's Phalarope
(Phalaropus tricolor)
716 High count 8/18 Traverse (88, Wheaton W.T.P.) ebd. Late north 9/1 Douglas (8) CNn, 9/3 Grant (6) ebd, 10/2 Kanabec ph. SPS (median 9/4). Late south 9/19 Hennepin ebd, 9/23 Nobles EHi, 10/5 Faribault WAF (median 9/21).
Red-necked Phalarope
(Phalaropus lobatus)
1022 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High counts 8/12 Pennington (92, Thief River Falls W.T.P.) BoA, 8/9 Marshall (45, Warren W.T.P.) HHu. Late north 9/16 Aitkin LBa, 9/16–20 Marshall (max. 6) HHu, 9/24 Lake of the Woods ebd (median 9/26). Late south 9/22 Sibley (3) MkC, 10/1 Lyon (4) GWe, 10/8 Le Sueur (3) ebd (median 10/8).
Jaegers
Parasitic Jaeger
(Stercorarius parasiticus)
1 All reports were from St. Louis. Early north (median 9/6) 9/10 (adult-light morph, Superior Entry) EzH, 9/14 (intermediate juvenile, Park Point R.A.) SeM, 9/17 St. Louis (max. 2, season high count, one juvenile described as “possible dark-morph” and a light-morph adult, Superior Entry) ELC, JGW. Late north 9/20 St. Louis (Superior Entry) PHS, 9/25 St. Louis (adult dark-morph, Superior Entry) ClN, m.ob., 11/6 St. Louis (third-cycle or adult light-morph, Park Point R.A.) ClN (median 10/3).
Stercorarius jaeger
(Stercorarius sp.)
1 Only report of an unidentified jaeger was from 10/5 Lake (Knife River Marina, immature) SHF, BAF.
Gulls, Terns
Sabine's Gull
(Xema sabini)
13 All north 9/16 St. Louis (first-cycle, Park Point R.A.) †PHS. All south 9/22 Scott (first-cycle, Spring Lake) †BAb, m.ob., 9/24–25 Stearns (first-cycle, Freeport W.T.P.) HHD, m.ob., 9/25 Stearns (adult, Albany W.T.P.) †PCC, m.ob., Stearns (3, first-cycles, Paynesville W.T.P.) †PCC, m.ob., 10/5 Sibley (first-cycle, High Island Lake) JCa, DWK.
Bonaparte's Gull
(Chroicocephalus philadelphia)
2738 See summer report for early southbound migrants. High count 9/24 Cass (350, Walker W.T.P.) TCL. Late north 11/16 Beltrami (max. 3) AxB, DvH, Cass (8) ebd, 11/17–22 Crow Wing (max. 20, multiple locations) MJB, DMz (median 11/25). Late south 11/23 Hennepin (Medicine Lake) ebd, 11/23–26 Washington (max. 89) EzH, m.ob., 11/26 Hennepin (Surfside Park) TWe (median 11/28).
Little Gull
(Hydrocoloeus minutus)
No reports.
Franklin's Gull
(Leucophaeus pipixcan)
2046 High counts 9/13 Lac qui Parle (5,000, Big Stone N.W.R.) ebd, 9/30 Wright (5,000, Pelican Lake) RCl. Late north 11/3 Douglas (6) ebd, 11/8 St. Louis ClN, KDx, 11/9 Grant (600) CNn (median 11/3). Late south 11/13 Brown BTS, Hennepin JKu, 11/16 Meeker BLz (median 11/18).
Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
3250 Found statewide through the end of the season. High counts 8/5 St. Louis (5,000, Interstate Island W.M.A.) PHS, 10/6 Dakota (4,666, Spring Lake P.R.) BBr.
Herring Gull
(Larus argentatus)
2427 Observed north throughout the season. Scattered reports south in late July, becoming more frequent in mid-August. High count 9/15 St. Louis (1,500, Port Terminal) PHS.
Iceland Gull
(Larus glaucoides)
45 Early north (median 10/6) 9/26 St. Louis (adult thayeri, Garfield Ave.) KDx, ClN, 10/16 St. Louis (adult thayeri, Superior Entry) GWe, 10/19–25 Hubbard (first-cycle thayeri, Kabekona Lake) AxB, REn, m.ob. All south 10/16 Dakota (2, thayeri, SET-Empire mulch site) AnB, TPu, MwT, 11/13 Dakota (3, thayeri, SET-Empire mulch site) AnB, 11/16 Ramsey (adult thayeri, Lake Owasso) LiH, 11/18 Hennepin (thayeri, Lake Harriet) DWK, SKe, 11/21–22 Ramsey (adult thayeri, Lake Johanna) LiH, 11/24 Hennepin (thayeri, Lake Harriet) MZa, ebd, 11/27 Wabasha (adult kumlieni, Lake Pepin) PEJ, 11/30 Goodhue (first-cycle thayeri, Lake Pepin) PEJ, Wabasha (Lake Pepin) BLz. High count 11/13 St. Louis (8, Superior Entry: 5 adults, 2 first-cycle, and 1 second-cycle, all thayeri) ClN, m.ob. Additional reports of L.g. kumlieni: 11/8 St. Louis (Lakewood Pumping Station) SeM, 11/18–27 Lake (first-cycle, Two Harbors) TPu, m.ob., 11/20 St. Louis (Superior Entry) LiH.
Lesser Black-backed Gull
(Larus fuscus)
55 All north 8/27 – 9/2 Crow Wing (third-cycle, Mille Lacs Lake) MAJ, KEm (ph), m.ob., 10/4 Todd (first-cycle, Cedar Lake) ANy (ph), m.ob., 10/13 Clay (second-cycle, Hawley Twp.) †TkL, Kanabec (adult, Knife Lake) CRM, m.ob., 10/28 Lake (first-cycle, Silver Bay Marina) †LiH. All south 9/24 – 10/27 Sherburne (adult, Elk River Landfill) PLJ, 10/21 Sherburne (first-cycle, Elk River Landfill) BLz, 10/25 Blue Earth (first-cycle, Red Jacket Valley Park) BHW, 11/5 Dakota (first-cycle, Casperson Park) ArM, m.ob., Watonwan (Wood Lake W.M.A.) AaL, CLu, 11/30 Goodhue (adult, Lake Pepin.) PEJ.
Glaucous Gull
(Larus hyperboreus)
2 All north 10/28 Cook (Sugarloaf Point S.N.A.) LiH, 10/29 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) LiH, 11/28 St. Louis (Canal Park) SeM.
Great Black-backed Gull
(Larus marinus)
No reports.
Caspian Tern
(Hydroprogne caspia)
1018 High count 8/21 Wright (19, Pelican Lake) RCl. Late north 9/10 Otter Tail (2) BAr, 9/18 St. Louis (2, Superior Entry) EHi, (Interstate Island W.M.A.) ebd, 9/19 Cass (2) ebd (median 9/26). Late south 9/18 Winona ebd, 9/30 Goodhue ebd, Scott (4, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Louisville Swamp) ebd, 10/1 Scott (Prior Lake) ebd (median 9/29).
Black Tern
(Chlidonias niger)
1431 High counts 8/19 Grant (171, North Ottawa Impoundment) SSP, 8/1 Sherburne (150, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd. Late north 8/30 Marshall (2, Warren W.T.P.) HHu, 9/1–3 Marshall (3, Agassiz N.W.R.) HHu, m.ob., 9/13 Aitkin (2) LBa (median 9/7). Late south 9/17 Hennepin (Elm Creek P.R.) CJa, (Purgatory Creek Wetlands) ArM, Wright RCl, 9/19 Pipestone (24) ebd (median 9/16).
Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
83 High counts 9/3 Cass (116, Leech Lake) ebd, 9/20 St. Louis (106, H.R.N.R.) SeM, m.ob. Late north 9/28 Mille Lacs PEJ, 10/14 St. Louis (5) BLz, 10/23 Cass ANy (median 10/9). All south 9/17 Cottonwood (Talcot Lake W.M.A.) ebd, 9/25 Jackson (Spirit Lake) ebd, 10/11 Sherburne (Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd.
Forster's Tern
(Sterna forsteri)
1322 High count 10/9 Pope (53, Lake Minnewaska) DWK. Late north 9/18 St. Louis (Hunters Park) ebd, 9/25 St. Louis (Superior Entry) EHi, m.ob., 10/21 Otter Tail (4) PEJ (median 10/13). Late south 10/21 Pope (4) AaL, 10/24 Kandiyohi RLF (median 10/7).
Loons
Red-throated Loon
(Gavia stellata)
11 All south 11/22 Washington (Afton Marina) †BDo, m.ob. All north 10/6 St. Louis (2, H.R.N.R.) JsC, 11/10 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JLK.
Pacific Loon
(Gavia pacifica)
2 All north 9/18 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) MLH, 9/23 St. Louis (off Canal Park) ebd, 9/25 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) EHi, TWe, BLz, 10/4 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JLK, 10/28 Lake (Bayside Park) LiH, 11/2 Lake (2, Shovel Point) ebd, 11/23 St. Louis (12th St. public access) JLK, JsC.
Common Loon
(Gavia immer)
2928 High count missed staging activity on Mille Lacs Lake: 8/20 Douglas (108, Lake Ida) ebd. Late north 11/24 Cook PEJ, St. Louis JsC, 11/27 Lake TWe (median 12/3). Late south 11/26 Hennepin (three locations) MZa, m.ob., Ramsey (4) BAr, 11/30 Hennepin (Hopkins) ABL (median 12/2).
Boobies and Gannets
BROWN BOOBY
(Sula leucogaster)
1 First state record first found 8/13–15 Winona (Yeomans Pond) KeW, ph. †AXH, †EzH, ph. †PHS, †PCC, ph. †RZi, ph. †DWK; subsequently rediscovered in Winona at Prairie Island on 9/6 (ph. MyB) and 10/5 (AXH). See The Loon 94:160–164 for a detailed account of this occurrence.
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
(Nannopterum auritum)
2949 High counts 9/5 Dakota (1,250, Augusta Lake) KvM, 10/2 Dakota (1,100, Resurrection Cemetery) BAF. Late north 11/5 Beltrami (The Narrows, Ponemah) AxB, 11/12 St. Louis ebd, 11/12–16 Beltrami (max. 2, Lake Irving) AxB, m.ob. (median 11/17). See winter report for late south migrants.
NEOTROPIC CORMORANT
(Nannopterum brasilianum)
2 All south 8/1 – 9/3 Hennepin (continuing adult from the summer season, Richfield Lake Park & Wood Lake N.C.) BAF, ph. †CMB, ph. †PEB, m.ob., 9/4–7 Meeker ph. †AXH.
Pelicans
American White Pelican
(Pelecanus erythrorhynchos)
2645 High counts 8/6 Grant (630, North Ottawa Impoundment) KTe, 9/20 Ramsey (627, Red Rock Rd.) BBr. Late north 10/30 Pine (max. 3) TWe, m.ob., 11/1 Douglas NaH, 11/18 Lake TPu, m.ob. (median 11/9). See winter report for late south.
Bitterns, Herons, Egrets, Night-Herons
American Bittern
(Botaurus lentiginosus)
1512 Highest counts only two. Late north 9/10 Aitkin DoH, m.ob., 9/10–18 Itasca ebd, 10/14 Otter Tail (2, Haiby W.P.A.) TkL (median 10/11). Late south 10/2 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ebd, Yellow Medicine GWe, 10/8 Steele PSu, 11/21 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) KOC, m.ob. (median 10/17).
Least Bittern
(Ixobrychus exilis)
511 All north 8/1 St. Louis (Mud Lake) JLK, 8/17 Becker (Middle Cormorant Lake) ebd, 8/19 Crow Wing (Upper Cullen Lake) ebd, 8/24 Otter Tail (2, Fish Lake) JMy, 9/4 Becker (Fox Lake) ebd, 9/5 Polk (Brandt-Angus Impoundment) HHu. Several high counts of three individuals. Late south 9/10 Freeborn (3) JWH, m.ob., Ramsey ebd, 9/13 Sherburne HHD (median 9/7).
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
3352 High count 8/2 Hennepin (60, Purgatory Creek Wetlands) ebd. Late north 11/12 Norman TCL, 11/22 St. Louis JLK, 11/23 Otter Tail ebd (median 12/1).
Great Egret
(Ardea alba)
1649 High count 8/20 Sibley (210, High Island Lake) EzH, IsH. Late north 10/11 Otter Tail ebd, 10/11–15 Clay TkL, 10/20 Grant PEJ (median 10/20). Late south 11/8 Scott BHe, 11/10 Hennepin ebd, 11/13 Olmsted PAl, m.ob. (median 11/10).
Snowy Egret
(Egretta thula)
1 Only report: 8/19–20 Polk (Sullivan Twp.) JMJ, SAu, HHu.
TRICOLORED HERON
(Egretta tricolor)
1 The first fall record since 1990 was an adult discovered 8/9–10 Blue Earth (Watonwan W.P.A.) BSa, †EzH, ph. †KEm, ph. †CRM, ph. †BLz, ph. RZi.
Cattle Egret
(Bubulcus ibis)
31 All north 8/1 Otter Tail (Grotto Lake) ebd, 10/30 Cook (2, Grand Marais Harbor) KEm, m.ob., 10/31 Koochiching (C.R. 15, Northome) ANy, DBz. Only south report 8/9 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) DOr, m.ob.
Green Heron
(Butorides virescens)
2845 High counts 8/14 Washington (42, Egg Lake) BDo, 8/20 Ramsey (22, Snail Lake R.P.) DnS. Late north 10/2 Kanabec SPS, 10/8 Clay ebd, 10/9 Douglas JEl (median 10/2). Late south 10/27 Carver WCM, 10/28 – 11/2 Hennepin ebd, 11/4 Sherburne ebd (median 10/17).
Black-crowned Night-Heron
(Nycticorax nycticorax)
510 High count 8/19 Grant (7, North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd. Late north 8/28 Grant ebd, 9/13 Otter Tail BAr, 10/5 Clay TKl (median 9/29). Late south 10/17 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) DWK, 10/23 Ramsey LiH, 11/25 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ebd (median 11/6).
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
(Nyctanassa violacea)
1 Only report 8/17 Freeborn (Fountain Lake) ph. AEB.
Ibises
White-faced Ibis
(Plegadis chihi)
45 All north 8/14 Grant (North Ottawa Impoundment) LSw, 9/3 Grant (3, North Ottawa Impoundment) ebd, 9/4 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) ANy, 9/12 Grant (3) ANy, 9/13–14 Clay (max. 4, Barnesville Twp.) TkL, m.ob. All south 8/13 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 9/2–3 Lac qui Parle (max. 26, Big Stone N.W.R.) BnS, ASl, 9/28 Swift (Marsh Lake) DLP, 9/30 Swift (Appleton Twp.) ASl, 10/1 Lyon (North Mahlke Marsh) GWe. Note: In the fall season, please provide identification details for any ibis.
Plegadis ibis
(Plegadis sp.)
37 All north 9/2 Traverse (C.R. 2) DLP, 9/11 Marshall (Warren W.T.P.) HHu, 9/13 Traverse (9) ANy, 10/26 Grant (Lien Twp.) CNn. All south 8/2 Big Stone (7, Artichoke W.P.A.) DLP, 8/3 Big Stone (4, C.R. 61) DLP, 8/12 Big Stone (2, David H. Steen W.M.A.) DLP, 9/2 Big Stone (Otrey Twp.) WCM, (5, Artichoke W.P.A.) WCM, (2, David H. Steen W.M.A.) WCM, 9/8 Lac qui Parle (2, Big Stone N.W.R.) DLP, 9/10 Swift (Marsh Lake) DLP, 9/13 Big Stone (6) ANy, 9/15 Big Stone (David H. Steen W.M.A.) DLP, 9/25 Swift (2, Marsh Lake) DLP, 9/26 Stevens (3, Moore W.P.A.) ANy, DBz, 9/27 Nobles (6, Swessinger W.M.A.) ANy, 9/30 Big Stone (3, Artichoke W.P.A.) DLP, 10/11 Big Stone (34, U.S. 12) DLP, 10/16 McLeod (Kings Lake) BDc, m.ob., 10/26 Grant (Spink Swamp) CNn, 11/1 Waseca (St. Mary Twp.) KEm.
New World Vultures
Turkey Vulture
(Cathartes aura)
3453 High counts 10/4 Blue Earth (319) BHW, 10/6 Blue Earth (262) BHW. Late north 10/30 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) FJN, ebd, (2, Rice’s Point) ebd, 11/5 St. Louis (Meadowlands) IaG (median 11/1). Late south 10/29 Dakota (max. 5, two locations) KDS, DVe, 10/30 Sherburne (15) RCl, 11/5 Waseca (2) KEm (median 10/31).
Osprey
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
2638 High counts 9/10 St. Louis (14) H.R.B.O., 9/2 St. Louis (12) H.R.B.O., 9/10 Lake (12, U.S. 61) JWL. Late north 10/8 Otter Tail (two locations) BAr, 10/9 Wadena PJB, 10/14 St. Louis SeM (median 10/23). Late south 11/6 Olmsted JDy, Stearns MJB, 11/9 Hennepin (2) ebd, 11/13 Rice GHo (median 11/4).
Kites, Accipiters, Hawks, Eagles
SWALLOW-TAILED KITE
(Elanoides forficatus)
1 One report of this Accidental species: 8/20 St. Louis (adult, H.R.N.R.) SeM, ph. †FJN, m.ob.
Golden Eagle
(Aquila chrysaetos)
612 Early north (median 9/27) 9/26, 10/5, 10/6 St. Louis (max. 2, three immatures, one unaged) H.R.B.O. Early south (median 10/12) 10/17 Winona (Whitewater S.P.) ebd, 10/21 Blue Earth (adult) BHW, 10/24 Winona (2, Hart Twp.) ToM. High counts 10/30 St. Louis (20) H.R.B.O., 11/18 St. Louis (11) H.R.B.O.
Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
3452 High counts both from H.R.B.O. in St. Louis: 9/13 (60), 10/16 (31). Late north reports all from St. Louis: 11/23 (Park Point R.A.) JLK, 11/28 (Rice Lake Rd.) StK, HTo, 11/30 (H.R.N.R. Banding Station) FJN. See winter report for late south migrants.
Sharp-shinned Hawk
(Accipiter striatus)
3047 Early south (median 8/13) 8/9 Ramsey LiH, APi, 8/12 Sherburne ebd, 8/13 Hennepin HCT. High counts 9/19 St. Louis (1,065) H.R.B.O., 9/25 St. Louis (771) H.R.B.O.
Cooper's Hawk
(Accipiter cooperii)
2649 High counts 9/21 Blue Earth (12) BHW, 9/22 Lake (10, Superior Hiking Trail, Crystal Bay Twp.) ebd. Late north 11/19 Todd SDi, 11/20 Clay (Oakport Prairie) ebd, 11/21–22 Clay (Barnesville) ebd (median 12/15), but also see winter report.
American Goshawk
(Accipiter atricapillus)
115 North reports from Aitkin, Cass, Carlton, Clay, Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Marshall, Roseau, St. Louis, Wadena. All south 10/18 – 11/27 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) EzH, m.ob., 10/23 Blue Earth BHW, Hennepin (Bryant Lake R.P.) ebd, 11/5 Yellow Medicine (Omro Twp.) NMe, 11/25 Stearns (Collegeville) REl, 11/30 Hennepin (Plymouth) KOC. High counts 10/17 St. Louis (7) H.R.B.O., 10/18 St. Louis (7) H.R.B.O.
Bald Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 11/21 Blue Earth (533) BHW, 11/5 Isanti (293, pig farm in Stanford Twp.) RCl.
MISSISSIPPI KITE
(Ictinia mississippiensis)
1 One north report 8/22 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) ph. †JsC, m.ob.
Red-shouldered Hawk
(Buteo lineatus)
1224 High counts 8/22 Washington (4, Big Marine Lake) ebd, 9/5 Washington (4, Oakdale Nature Preserve) ebd. Late north 10/9 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/17 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/9 St. Louis H.R.B.O. (median 10/31).  
Broad-winged Hawk
(Buteo platypterus)
3141 High counts 9/22 St. Louis (12,020) H.R.B.O., 9/21 St. Louis (9,108) H.R.B.O. Late north 10/18 Aitkin KCR, 10/22 Cook LWd, 11/7 St. Louis JsC, m.ob. (median 10/21). Late south 10/9 Hennepin DAh, Ramsey LiH, Scott BHe, Washington EzH, 10/15 Stearns MSk (median 10/16).
Swainson's Hawk
(Buteo swainsoni)
416 Late north 9/13 St. Louis (max. 2, three locations but possibly the same birds) StK, SeM, ClN, m.ob., 9/20 St. Louis (Forest Hill) JLK, 10/4 Polk ebd (median 9/29). Late south 10/1 Nobles KEm, 10/2 Olmsted ebd, 10/4 Blue Earth (4, season high count) BHW (median 10/9).
Red-tailed Hawk
(Buteo jamaicensis)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 10/17 St. Louis (518) H.R.B.O., 10/18 St. Louis (391) H.R.B.O. Four Harlan’s reported between 11/9 and 11/18; nine Krider’s reported between 8/12 and 11/1, many of which were without details.
Rough-legged Hawk
(Buteo lagopus)
2533 Early north (median 9/24) 10/3 Lake ABm, 10/4 St. Louis H.R.B.O., 10/7 St. Louis H.R.B.O. Early south (median 10/4) 10/4 Carver ebd, 10/6 Washington ebd, 10/8 Hennepin ebd. High count 11/6 St. Louis (23) H.R.B.O.
Barn Owls
BARN OWL
(Tyto alba)
2 Documented 8/4 Houston (Money Creek Twp.) a.t. †KAB, 9/18 Olmsted (Oxbow Park, recorded during a nocturnal flight count) a.t. †fide KAB.
Screech-Owls, Owls
Eastern Screech-Owl
(Megascops asio)
423 All north 9/4 Otter Tail (Eagle Lake Twp.) JsS, ebd, 9/19–20 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) FJN, ebd, 9/26 Clay (Kurtz Twp.) ebd, 10/8 Douglas (Alexandria) ebd, 10/21 Clay (2, M.B. Johnson Park) ebd, 10/29 St. Louis (McQuade Small Craft Harbor, red morph) JWL, m.ob. South reports from every region. One individual noted as gray morph, one as red morph.
Great Horned Owl
(Bubo virginianus)
2242 Found statewide.
Snowy Owl
(Bubo scandiacus)
31 All north 11/18 Roseau (C.R. 16) BCS, 11/20 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 11/24 Polk (C.R. 18, Keystone Twp.) SAu. Only south report 11/20 Hennepin (MSP International Airport) SKS.
Northern Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula)
No reports.
Barred Owl
(Strix varia)
2534 Observed east of a line from Kittson to Clay to Martin counties, plus 10/29 Big Stone ebd. Several high counts of four individuals.
Great Gray Owl
(Strix nebulosa)
2 Most reports from St. Louis, beginning 9/24 and continuing throughout the season. Additional reports: 8/7 Lake of the Woods ebd, 11/12 Itasca ebd, 11/13 Aitkin BLz. (This is considered a Sensitive Species in eBird and records are not public. This summary includes eBird records although they are not in the M.O.U. database.)
Long-eared Owl
(Asio otus)
59 All north 9/26 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) IDv, m.ob., 10/15 Grant (Big Island Rd.) ebd, 10/7 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 10/18 Polk (2, Red River S.R.A.) SAu, m.ob., 11/12 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) JLK, 11/14 Clay (Norwegian Cemetery) TkL, 11/19 Polk (East Grand Forks) TJJ, 11/20 Lake (Two Harbors) LiH, 11/30 Clay (Kurtz Twp.) DnM, plus reports from H.R.B.O. banding station in St. Louis (FJN, m.ob.): 9/27, 9/30, 10/29, 10/30, 11/7 (3, season high count). Early south (median 10/30) 9/3 Anoka (Linwood Lake, possibly a breeder) EzH, 10/13 Wright ToL, 10/26 Dakota CRe; also reported from Blue Earth, Hennepin, Lyon, Pipestone, Rice, Washington.
Short-eared Owl
(Asio flammeus)
87 Reported north from Aitkin, Beltrami, Clay, Cook, Kittson, Morrison, St. Louis, Wilkin as late as 11/28 Kittson HHu. Early south (median 10/12) 11/9 Renville MJB, 11/19 Scott ebd, 11/20 Stearns MJB. High count 10/29 St. Louis (3, H.R.N.R.) ebd.
Boreal Owl
(Aegolius funereus)
No reports.
Northern Saw-whet Owl
(Aegolius acadicus)
79 Found north in Clay, Cook, Crow Wing, Lake, Mille Lacs, Roseau, St. Louis. Early south 10/13 Hennepin MaS, 10/14–15 Carver (max. 2) ebd, JSt, 10/19 Wabasha JPr, JmP. High count 9/27 St. Louis (9, H.R.N.R.) ebd.
Kingfishers
Belted Kingfisher
(Megaceryle alcyon)
3451 High counts 8/2 Rice (8, Northfield) GHo, 8/13 Marshall (7, Agassiz N.W.R.) HHu, 8/26 Sherburne (7, Sherburne N.W.R.) ebd. Several north reports into December.
Woodpeckers
Red-headed Woodpecker
(Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
2849 High counts 11/21 Houston (12, Reno Bottoms) SHo, 8/21 Anoka (11, Fish Lake Nature Trails) ebd. Late north 11/23–24 Cass ebd, 11/23 Otter Tail ebd, 11/25 Polk SAu.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
(Melanerpes carolinus)
2753 Reported from every region, though scarce in extreme northwest where not reported from seven counties. High count 10/21 Ramsey (14, Fort Snelling S.P.) HSm.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
(Sphyrapicus varius)
3347 High counts 9/17 Becker (15, Tamarac N.W.R.) TkL, 10/5 St. Louis (9, H.R.N.R.) SeM. Late north 10/13 Lake JWL, St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ebd, (Central Hillside neighborhood) NGi, 10/16 St. Louis (max. 2, Park Point R.A.) JsC, m.ob., 11/1 Otter Tail ebd (median 11/16). See winter reports for late south migrants.
American Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides dorsalis)
4 All reports: 10/1 St. Louis (Johnson Rd.) JuG, 10/30 Cook (Pincushion Dr.) ANy, m.ob., 11/25 St. Louis (2, Johnson Rd.) JuG, 11/26 Koochiching (C.R. 13) JMn, Lake (C.R. 2) ebd.
Black-backed Woodpecker
(Picoides arcticus)
7 Reported from Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, St. Louis. No counts of more than three individuals.
Downy Woodpecker
(Dryobates pubescens)
3453 Reported from every county. High count 10/8 Hennepin (19, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa.
Hairy Woodpecker
(Dryobates villosus)
3353 Reported statewide. High count 8/26 Anoka (12, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) JCa.
Northern Flicker
(Colaptes auratus)
3453 Found throughout the state, but frequency of north reports decreased after mid-November. High counts 9/6 St. Louis (50, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 9/25 Aitkin (38, Rice Lake N.W.R.) ebd.
Pileated Woodpecker
(Dryocopus pileatus)
3247 Found statewide, though few reports southwest of a line from Pipestone to Martin. High count 8/15 St. Louis (6, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK.
Caracaras, Falcons
American Kestrel
(Falco sparverius)
3452 Reported statewide. High count 9/11 St. Louis (153) H.R.B.O.
Merlin
(Falco columbarius)
3143 High counts all from H.R.B.O. in St. Louis: 10/16 (10), 9/25 (9), 10/4 (9), 10/12 (9). Possible early south migrants (median 8/17) 8/5 Chippewa ebd, 8/10 Benton KBg, 8/10 Winona ToM.
Peregrine Falcon
(Falco peregrinus)
2037 High count 9/20 St. Louis (8) H.R.B.O. Late north migrants 10/22 Lake IsH, EzH, 10/26 Aitkin JLK, Marshall BCS (median 11/12).
Prairie Falcon
(Falco mexicanus)
No reports.
Flycatchers
Great Crested Flycatcher
(Myiarchus crinitus)
2646 High counts 8/7 Carver (10, Carver P.R.) JCy, 8/7 Hennepin (8, Rogers) ebd. Late north 9/19 Carlton ebd, 9/21 Otter Tail (Erhard) ebd, 9/24 Grant CNn, Otter Tail (Glendalough S.P.) BEc, 9/25 CNn (median 9/20). Late south 9/24 Dakota (Lebanon Hills R.P.) AnB, MwT, 9/28 Dakota (Lakeville) TPu, 10/3 Olmsted JmP (median 9/23).
Western Kingbird
(Tyrannus verticalis)
87 No counts of more than 2 birds. Late north 8/22 Traverse ebd, 8/25 Marshall HHu, 8/31 Polk (Agassiz Valley) HHu, 9/2 Clay ebd, Polk (Crookston) GHo, KDS (median 9/7). Late south 8/19 Big Stone SSP, 8/20 Lyon GWe, 9/2 Stearns NSg (median 9/6).
Eastern Kingbird
(Tyrannus tyrannus)
3351 High counts 8/8 Washington (27, Lake Elmo R.P.) KIs, JZj, 8/20 St. Louis (22, Park Point R.A.) StK, IDv. Late north 9/18 Carlton ebd, Grant CNn, Wadena PJB, 9/19 Crow Wing ebd, 9/26 Todd JLK (median 9/18). Late south 9/29–30 Hennepin ebd, 9/30 Carver ebd, 10/4 Goodhue ebd (median 9/26).
FORK-TAILED FLYCATCHER
(Tyrannus savana)
1 Fourth state record, first since 2009: 9/17 St. Louis (Stony Point) ASe, ph. †PHS, ph. †JGW, m.ob.
Olive-sided Flycatcher
(Contopus cooperi)
2042 Early south (median 8/2) 8/1 Sherburne ebd, 8/2 Goodhue SDz, 8/4 Scott LSw. High counts 8/16 St. Louis (5, Hartley Park) JLK, 8/18 St. Louis (5, H.R.N.R.) JsC. Late north 9/13 Mille Lacs MJB, 9/16 St. Louis (Sax-Zim Bog) ebd, 9/18 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SeM (median 9/12). Late south 9/22 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 9/25 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) LSw, 10/1 Hennepin TAT (median 9/24).
Eastern Wood-Pewee
(Contopus virens)
3350 High counts 8/26 Anoka (29, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) JCa, 8/24 Scott (23, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd, 8/31 Carver (18, Carver P.R.) JCy. Late north 9/20 Clearwater ebd, Koochiching EHi, 9/21 Otter Tail ebd, St. Louis KEJ, 9/29 Todd JLK (median 9/21). Late south 10/2 Hennepin ebd, Le Sueur ebd, Wabasha MNb, Washington ebd, 10/5 Steele PSu (median 10/3).
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher
(Empidonax flaviventris)
1429 Reported with identification details from 5 north and 16 south counties. Early south (median 8/17) 8/10 Hennepin ebd, 8/14 Steele PSu, Waseca PSu, 8/18 Ramsey ebd. High counts 8/26, 8/28 Anoka (4, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe. Late north 9/9 Lake JWL, 9/11 St. Louis ebd (median 8/31). Late south 9/17 Hennepin (Minneapolis) ebd, 9/21 Hennepin (Bloomington) ebd, 9/27 Dakota TPu (median 9/15). Note: During spring and fall migration, undocumented records of silent Empidonax flycatchers are not included in this report. Observers are encouraged to include identification details in their reports.
Acadian Flycatcher
(Empidonax virescens)
5 Reported with identification notes from Anoka, Fillmore, Rice, Scott, Washington. Late south 8/10 Rice HCT, 8/17–28 Anoka (Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) ebd, JGW, EzH (median 8/17).
Alder Flycatcher
(Empidonax alnorum)
1913 Reported with details from 6 north and 8 south counties. High counts 8/29 St. Louis (16, Brighton Beach) IDv, KJB, HTo, StK. Late north 8/20 Otter Tail SSP, 8/29 St. Louis IDv, KJB, HTo, StK, 9/12 Grant ANy (median 8/24). Late south 9/5 Carver MJB, 9/10 Blue Earth ChH, 9/18 Ramsey BAb (median 8/31).
Willow Flycatcher
(Empidonax traillii)
422 Reported with identification notes from 1 north and 11 south counties. No counts of more than two individuals. Only north report 9/2 Kanabec EHi, well after the 8/18 median. Late south 9/17 Dakota SWe, 10/1 Lyon GWe, 10/2 Fillmore ANy (median 8/26).
Least Flycatcher
(Empidonax minimus)
3144 Reported with identification details from 10 north and 18 south counties. High counts 8/20 St. Louis (20, Park Point) JGr, 9/10 Hennepin (13, T.S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary). Late north 9/21 St. Louis HTo, IDv, SeM, 9/22 Cook ebd, followed by a record late (north) individual 10/30 Lake ph. ebd (median 9/18). Late south 9/25 Sherburne RSk, 10/2 Hennepin ClB, 10/6 Freeborn ebd (median 9/25).
Eastern Phoebe
(Sayornis phoebe)
3353 High counts 9/2 Mille Lacs (13, Mille Lacs W.M.A.) EHi, 9/2 Isanti (12, Dalbo W.M.A.) EHi, 9/5 Sherburne (12, Sherburne N.W.R.) SMC. Birds lingered well past the median date both north and south. Late north 10/28 Clay ebd, 10/29 Aitkin DoH, Cook PEJ (median 10/17). Late south 11/3 Ramsey LiH, 11/11 Washington DFN, 11/16 Washington (Cottage Grove Ravine R.P.) JZj (median 11/2).
Say's Phoebe
(Sayornis saya)
1 Only report, 8/13 Lac qui Parle (Big Stone N.W.R. Auto Tour Road) MHn, KHg, ToM.
Vireos
WHITE-EYED VIREO
(Vireo griseus)
11 Third county record 10/29–30 Cook (Grand Marais RV Park and Campground) AaL, CLu, †EzH, †NMe, ph. †KEm, m.ob. Another one seen south: 10/29 Washington †DuW.
Bell's Vireo
(Vireo bellii)
4 All south 8/5–28 Washington (Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) AOp, DuW, ebd, 8/9 Goodhue (Frontenac S.P.) SDz, 8/12–20 Wabasha (max. 3, Weaver Dunes S.N.A.) EHi, TWe, ebd, 9/11 Ramsey (Rice Creek North Trail) MaS (median 8/31).
Yellow-throated Vireo
(Vireo flavifrons)
2745 High counts 9/3 Anoka (9, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) DnS, ASu, 9/3 Carver (8, Carver P.R.) JCy. Late north 9/19 Morrison SEm, 9/20 Crow Wing PSP, Otter Tail ebd, 10/5 St. Louis KRE, m.ob. (median 9/20). Late south 10/3 Hennepin SKe, 10/4 Washington JDS, 10/9 Ramsey LiH (median 10/3).
Blue-headed Vireo
(Vireo solitarius)
3047 Early south (median 8/20) 8/17 Anoka ebd, 8/20 Rice ebd, 8/21 Olmsted JPr, Ramsey LiH, Sibley MiO. High counts 9/22 St. Louis (7, Brighton Beach) SeM, HTo, ASu, IDv, 9/10 Carver (6, Carver P.R.) JCy, 9/12 St. Louis (6, Hartley Park) JLK. Late north 10/14 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) FJN, (Enger Park) ebd, 10/19 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) JsC, ebd, 10/28–29 Lake (Silver Bay) ClB, LiH, JWL, SLL all well after the 10/11 median. Late south 10/16 Olmsted MiD, 10/17 Ramsey ebd, 10/21 Hennepin ebd (median 10/19).
Philadelphia Vireo
(Vireo philadelphicus)
2945 Early south (median 8/15) 8/18 Meeker PKF, 8/21 Blue Earth BTS, MiO, Chisago LS, Ramsey DnS, Sibley BTS. High count 9/5 Anoka (12, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) ASu. Late north 9/25 Lake JlB, 9/26 Cook JaJ, 10/5 St. Louis ebd (median 9/27). Late south 10/4 Washington JlS, 10/5 Anoka GWe, Hennepin (Crystal) ebd, 10/7 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) DvN (median 10/4).
Warbling Vireo
(Vireo gilvus)
2649 High counts 9/1 Hennepin (12) CMB, 8/20 Otter Tail (11, Orwell W.M.A.) SSP, 8/22 Hennepin (11, Wood Lake N.C.) FFa. Late north 9/12 Grant ANy, 9/14 Cook JPr, 9/16 Pennington JMJ, 9/17 Beltrami AAz (median 9/18). Late south 9/23 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) DvN, Washington ebd, 9/25 Goodhue JtM, Hennepin (Mississippi Gateway R.P.) DEl, 9/26 Hennepin (Baker P.R.) ebd (median 9/27).
Red-eyed Vireo
(Vireo olivaceus)
3353 High counts 9/5 Anoka (34, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) ASu, 8/29 Koochiching (30, Voyageurs N.P.) ebd. Late north 10/8–10 St. Louis JDx, ClN, 10/30 Cook (Grand Marais) EzH, TWe, NMe, WCM, MWS (median 10/10). Late south 10/5 Dakota ebd, Scott BHe, 10/6 Hennepin KOC, Rice LSc, 10/10 Ramsey ebd (median 10/8).
Shrikes
Loggerhead Shrike
(Lanius ludovicianus)
24 High count 8/6 Polk (3, Agassiz Valley) HHu. Late north 8/11 St. Louis FJN, 8/13–17 Polk (Agassiz Valley) LSw, HHu (median 8/22). Late south 8/19 Stearns (Albany W.T.P.) HHD, MJB, MtS, DRL, NSg, 8/28 Fillmore LHl, 9/5 Dakota ebd (median 8/29).
Northern Shrike
(Lanius borealis)
2837 Early north (median 10/9) 10/7–8 Polk (Angus Oslo 4 Flood Control) HHu, 10/7–9 Cook (northeast of Croftville) LWd, 10/10 Lake RHg, St. Louis NPo. Early south (median 10/14) 10/12 Hennepin ABL, 10/13 Meeker PKF, Ramsey LiH, Scott RBW, 10/14 Sherburne RCl. High counts 10/15 Sherburne (3, Sherburne N.W.R.) IsH, EzH, 11/23 St. Louis (3, Sax-Zim Bog) PEJ, 11/24 St. Louis (3, H.R.N.R.) ebd.
Jays, Nutcrackers, Magpies, Crows
Canada Jay
(Perisoreus canadensis)
11 Reported throughout traditional range. High counts 9/7 St. Louis (9, Kjolstad Lake) ebd, 8/8 St. Louis (8, Fenske Lake Campground) ebd, 11/1 St. Louis (8, Sax-Zim Bog) ebd.
Blue Jay
(Cyanocitta cristata)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 9/20 St. Louis (6,883) H.R.B.O., 9/20 St. Louis (6,647) H.R.B.O.
Black-billed Magpie
(Pica hudsonia)
26 Reported from 26 counties, a new high. Notable fall records: 10/30 Cook (Lakeview Dairy) AxB, 10/9 Douglas (Miltona Twp.) JEl. High counts 9/4 Roseau (70) KRE, 8/20 Roseau (60, C.R. 142) BCS.
American Crow
(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 10/31 St. Louis (735, H.R.N.R.) JsC, 9/20 Clearwater (500, S.R. 1 along West Red Lake) EHi, 10/30 Olmsted (500, Apache Mall) ebd.
Common Raven
(Corvus corax)
3214 Southward range expansion continues. Reported throughout usual range, plus Wilkin, Pope, Scott, Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Goodhue. High count 10/30 St. Louis (125, H.R.N.R.) SeM.
Chickadees, Titmice
Black-capped Chickadee
(Poecile atricapillus)
3453 Reported from every county. High count 10/26 St. Louis (125, Stony Point) SeM.
Boreal Chickadee
(Poecile hudsonicus)
4 Only reported from Cook, Lake, Lake of the Woods, and St. Louis. High counts 8/18 Lake (5, Lake Polly) BSa, 10/26 St. Louis (5, Stony Point) StK, SNe, SeM, HTo.
Tufted Titmouse
(Baeolophus bicolor)
14 Reported from throughout usual southeast range north to 11/13 Anoka (Circle Pines) ebd, Chisago. High counts 10/11 Goodhue (6, Stanton Twp.) LSc, 8/11 Goodhue (4) PEJ, 8/18 Goodhue (4, Red Wing) PEJ, 8/22 Fillmore (4, Eagle Bluff E.L.C.) ToM, 9/18 Winona (4, Holzinger Lodge trails) ebd.
Larks
Horned Lark
(Eremophila alpestris)
2549 High counts 11/16 Brown (300, flyovers near Hanska) ARW, 10/10 St. Louis (97, Park Point R.A.) JLK.
Martins, Swallows
Bank Swallow
(Riparia riparia)
1742 High counts 8/25 Lac qui Parle (200, Salt Lake) KeL, 8/7 Becker (80, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) ebd. Late north 8/28 Clay PBB, Grant ebd, Lake of the Woods ANy, Marshall HHu, TJJ, 9/1 Grant CNn, Lake of the Woods CRM, m.ob. (median 9/7). Late south 9/22 Murray CRM, m.ob., 9/23 Cottonwood (Mountain Lake W.T.P.) CRM, m.ob., Dakota KDS, 9/24 Cottonwood (Swan Lake W.P.A.) EHi (median 9/23).
Tree Swallow
(Tachycineta bicolor)
2852 High counts 9/10 Lyon (4,300, Cottonwood Lake) GWe, 9/23 Waseca (700, Moonan W.M.A.) LHl. Late north 10/1 St. Louis SeM, 10/2 Kanabec SPS, 10/8 Aitkin ebd (median 10/2). Late south 10/20 Pipestone LVD, 10/21 Stearns ebd, 10/22 Hennepin ebd (median 10/21).
Northern Rough-winged Swallow
(Stelgidopteryx serripennis)
1241 High counts 8/14 Brown (50, Sleepy Eye W.T.P.) KHg, ToM, MHn, 8/15 Cottonwood (43, Bat Lake/Delft W.M.A.) ebd. Late north 9/1 Grant CNn, 9/2 Traverse DLP, 9/3 Otter Tail ebd (median 9/3). Late south 9/26 Scott BxP, 9/29 Hennepin ebd, 10/2 Yellow Medicine GWe (median 10/1).
Purple Martin
(Progne subis)
2445 High count 8/26 Washington (2,000, Water’s Edge Community Center, Hugo) ELC. Late north 9/5 Morrison ebd, 9/6 Otter Tail JSw, St. Louis ebd, Todd ANy, 9/8 Todd (2, Browerville W.T.P.) SDi, 9/13 Norman TCL (median 9/7). Late south 9/11 Washington BDo, 9/12 Houston ASu, Rice ebd, Stearns ebd, 9/14 Olmsted LAV (median 9/15).
Barn Swallow
(Hirundo rustica)
3453 High counts 9/10 Lyon (800, Cottonwood Lake) GWe, 8/13 Dakota (335, Jirik Sod Farms) JCa. Late north 9/28 Douglas MJB, 10/9 Becker ebd, 10/13 Cook JZj (median 10/9). Late south 10/11 Scott (Marsh W.M.A.) DWK, 10/12 McLeod HCT, Olmsted LAV, 10/13 Scott (Marsh W.M.A.) JBu, (Johnson Slough) ebd (median 10/24).
Cliff Swallow
(Petrochelidon pyrrhonota)
2651 High counts 8/17 Lake (435, Two Harbors) JWL, 8/1 Sherburne (200, St. Francis waterway control structure) ebd. Late north 9/19 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SeM, JsC, 9/20 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) IDv, HTo, SeM, StK, followed by a very late report 10/28 St. Louis (Park Point) PEJ (median 9/18). Late south 9/27 Pipestone VKl, Sibley BLz, 10/5 Faribault WAF (median 9/30).
Kinglets
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
(Corthylio calendula)
3253 Early south (median 8/25) 8/21 Carver JCy, Ramsey BLz, 8/21–23 Meeker PKF. High counts 10/7 Anoka (56, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 9/22 St. Louis (40, Brighton Beach) ASu, SeM, IDv, HTo, 9/28 Carver (39, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy. Late north 11/1 Cook KDS, GHo, Lake JWL, St. Louis (Moose Mountain S.N.A.) ebd, 11/4 St. Louis (McQuade Small Craft Harbor) LMc, JLK, 11/5 Cass ebd (median 11/4). Late south 11/15 Dakota KDS, 11/18 Hennepin BAF, 11/21 Wabasha MNb (median 11/22).
Golden-crowned Kinglet
(Regulus satrapa)
3151 Early south (median 9/17) 9/16 Wabasha MNb, 9/18 Goodhue ebd, 9/20 Dakota ebd, High counts 10/7 Anoka (128, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 9/22 St. Louis (57, Brighton Beach) HTo, IDv, ASu, SeM. Late north 11/25 Pine ebd, 11/27 Douglas BAb, JWH, 11/28 Beltrami ebd, but see winter report (median 12/10).
Waxwings
Bohemian Waxwing
(Bombycilla garrulus)
10 Scattered reports across the north. Early north (median 9/28) 10/20 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) JsC, 10/21 St. Louis (Cook) JuG, 10/22 Cook ebd, 10/24 Lake ABm, St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SeM. High counts 11/27 Cook (129, Grand Marais Harbor) LWd, 11/19, 11/22 St. Louis (100, Sax-Zim Bog) KTP, ebd.
Cedar Waxwing
(Bombycilla cedrorum)
3453 Reports from all counties. High counts 8/29 St. Louis (1,860, Brighton Beach) HTo, IDv, KJB, StK 9/10 St. Louis (1,623, H.R.N.R.) JsC.
Silky-flycatchers
PHAINOPEPLA
(Phainopepla nitens)
1 First state record, spotted the morning of 10/29 just northeast of the McQuade Safe Harbor by MWS and Molly Misfeldt. Seen 10/29 – 11/1 St. Louis (McQuade Safe Harbor) ph. †AXH, ph. RZi, ph. †HCT, ph. †KRE, ph. †KEm, ph. †NMe, †EzH, ph. †DnS, ph. †TPu, ph. †ToL, ph. BAb, ph. GHo, m.ob (The Loon 94:171–173).
Nuthatches
Red-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis)
3353 Reported from every county except Traverse. High counts 9/10 St. Louis (63, Brighton Beach) HTo, StK, IDv, 10/1 Cass (50, Schoolcraft S.P.) ebd.
White-breasted Nuthatch
(Sitta carolinensis)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 9/2 Ramsey (30, Sucker Lake) ebd, 9/3 Anoka (22, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) DnS, ASu.
Creepers
Brown Creeper
(Certhia americana)
2946 Early south migrants (median 8/27) 8/3 Brown (BTS), 8/15 Wright ebd, 8/23 Yellow Medicine BTS, 8/25 Carver JCy. High counts 9/22 St. Louis (13, Brighton Beach) HTo, ASu, SeM, IDv, 10/4 Hennepin (13, Powderhorn Park) LrV.
Gnatcatchers
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
(Polioptila caerulea)
843 High counts 8/20 Carver (8, Carver P.R.) JCy, 8/28 Anoka (8, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) EzH. Late north 9/4 Becker ANy, Otter Tail NaH, AnB, 9/10 Douglas ebd, 9/12 Grant ANy (median 9/8). Late south 9/23 Faribault LHl, Waseca LHl, ebd, 9/24 Dodge ebd, 10/12 Big Stone DLP (median 9/24).
Wrens
Carolina Wren
(Thryothorus ludovicianus)
14 Only north report: 11/8–28 Aitkin (feeders north of Tamarack) KCR, CLR, MAJ. Rare south reports 8/7 Dakota (Skyview Rd.) CRM, 8/9 – 10/19 Wabasha (West Albany Twp.) MNb. Also reported from Hennepin and Houston.
House Wren
(Troglodytes aedon)
3053 High counts 8/21 Ramsey (20, Crosby Farm R.P.) ebd, 8/22 Hennepin (14, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) JCa, 8/23 Ramsey (14, Snail Lake R.P.) LiH. Late north 10/8 Pine ebd, St. Louis (Grassy Point) NGi, 10/8–10 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JWL, NGi, JLK, 10/15–17 Polk (Red River S.R.A.) ebd, TJJ (median 10/6). Late south 10/16–17 Ramsey AnA, ebd, 10/17 Hennepin DSh, 10/21 Goodhue MJM (median 10/17).
Winter Wren
(Troglodytes hiemalis)
1933 Early south (median 8/31) 8/23 Sherburne ETw, MFl, 9/3 Washington BDo, 9/10 Hennepin CMB, Ramsey DnS. High counts 10/6 St. Louis (12, Hartley Park) JLK, 10/7 Ramsey (8, Maplewood N.C.) DnS. Late north 10/30 Kanabec SPS, 10/30–31 St. Louis (Stony Point) LSw, SeM, StK, 11/14 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) MLH (median 10/24). See winter report for late south migrants (median 12/17).
Sedge Wren
(Cistothorus stellaris)
2244 High counts 8/2 Goodhue (24, Frontenac S.P., Rattlesnake Bluff) SDz, 8/6 Goodhue (16, Frontenac S.P., Prairie Trial) SDz. Late north 10/5 Clay (Moorhead) DPW, 10/6 St. Louis (Hartley Park) JLK, 10/9 Clay (Blanket Flower Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, Douglas JEl, St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) NGi (median 10/13). Late south 10/10 Ramsey LiH, Rice TFB, 10/12 Hennepin ebd, 10/21–22 Lyon (Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe (median 10/15).
Marsh Wren
(Cistothorus palustris)
2543 High counts 10/2 Yellow Medicine (20, Spellman Lake) GWe, 8/19 Grant (17, North Ottawa Impoundment) SSP. Late north 10/8 St. Louis JWL, 10/21 Clay ebd, 10/26 Lake ASu (median 10/16). Late south 10/28 Olmsted ebd, 10/29 Hennepin (East Medicine Lake Park) LSw, 10/30 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Long Meadow Lake Trail) ebd (median 11/2).
Thrashers, Mockingbirds
Gray Catbird
(Dumetella carolinensis)
3453 High count 8/9 Anoka (27, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe. Late north 10/30 Cook NMe, m.ob., 11/4 Lake KOC, KRE, m.ob., 11/23 Pennington HHu (median 11/1). Late south 11/21 Anoka GWe, 11/25 Hennepin DPJ, 11/26 Ramsey LiH (median 11/21).
Brown Thrasher
(Toxostoma rufum)
2133 High counts 8/11 St. Louis (6, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 9/10 Grant (5, Delaware Twp.) CNn. Late north 9/25 St. Louis TCL, LME, 10/5 Clay ebd, 10/3–13 Todd (Little Sauk Twp.) ebd (median 11/20). Late south 10/28 Scott BHe, 10/30 Stearns (north of St. Stephen) ebd, then one much later report 11/27 Stearns (Collegeville) REl (median 1/1).
Northern Mockingbird
(Mimus polyglottos)
1 Only report: 8/9 Otter Tail (Dead Lake W.M.A.) MRN.
Starlings
European Starling
(Sturnus vulgaris)
3453 Reported statewide. High count 10/16 Dakota (2,000, SET-Empire) AnB, TPu, MwT.
Thrushes
Eastern Bluebird
(Sialia sialis)
3140 High counts 10/11 Washington (70, Afton S.P.) ebd, 10/11 Washington (55, Belwin Conservancy) SOa. Late north 11/1 Otter Tail TFu, 11/3 Hubbard AxB, Pine ebd, 11/5 Crow Wing ebd (median 11/30).
Townsend's Solitaire
(Myadestes townsendi)
64 Early north (median 10/10) 10/5 St. Louis (Stony Point) KRE, m.ob., 10/6 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) JsC, 10/14 St. Louis (Angora) JuG. North reports away from the North Shore: 10/24–25 Cass ph. DoH, JC, ebd, 11/10 Clearwater (Bagley) ebd, 11/12 Norman (Gary Pines) TCL. All south (median arrival 10/18) 9/25 Le Sueur BAb, KEm, JWH, 11/6 Houston (Reno Bottoms) BDo, LiH, 11/20–26 Renville (2, Sacred Heart) ARW, BTS, m.ob., 11/23 Washington GWe.
Veery
(Catharus fuscescens)
2218 High counts 8/8 St. Louis (9, Hartley Park) JLK, 8/18 St. Louis (9, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK. Late north 9/10 Lake (Kawishiwi River Campsite) LWd, (Flood Bay State Wayside) JWL, ebd, 9/12, 9/18 Itasca (Williams Narrows Resort) ebd, 10/22 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL (median 9/14). Late south 9/11 Hennepin ebd, 9/13 Washington JVA, 9/27 Meeker PKF (median 9/17).
Gray-cheeked Thrush
(Catharus minimus)
614 Early north (median 9/2) 8/16 St. Louis (Park Point) PHS, 8/25 Crow Wing JPr, JJS, St. Louis (H.R.B.O.) FJN, 8/30 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) StK, HTo, SNe, IDv. Early south (median 9/1) 8/28 Isanti MJB, 8/30 Kandiyohi ebd, 8/31 Anoka ASu. High count 9/7 St. Louis (3, Stony Point) NGi. Late north 9/25 St. Louis (Park Point Nature Trail) ebd, 10/5 St. Louis (Hartley N.C.) ebd, 10/20 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK (median 10/4). Late south 10/3 Ramsey ebd, 10/3–6 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) HPe, ebd, 10/12 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ebd (median 10/8).
Swainson's Thrush
(Catharus ustulatus)
2637 Early south (median 8/14) 8/3 Anoka TAn, 8/7 Carver JCy, 8/13 Hennepin TAT, RuS. High counts 9/10 St. Louis (74, Brighton Beach) IDv, StK, HTo. Late north 10/17 Polk ebd, followed by 2 reports well after the 10/18 median: 10/31 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 11/11 St. Louis (Enger Park) ph. NoH. Late south 10/21 Goodhue JtM, 10/23 Hennepin ebd, 11/12–13 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) IsH, EzH, ECl, ebd (median 10/18).
Hermit Thrush
(Catharus guttatus)
2728 Earliest south reports from Sherburne where apparently oversummered. Early south migrants (median 9/14) 9/7 Wabasha ebd, 9/10 Chisago DWK, 9/11 Hennepin ebd, DPJ, Ramsey JKu, Scott BHe. High counts 10/9 Hennepin (16, T. S. Roberts Bird Sanctuary) ebd, 10/13 St. Louis (12, Park Point Nature Trail) JLK, 10/15 Brown (11) BTS. Late north 11/17 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) MLH, 11/19 Cook JGW, St. Louis (Stony Point) StK, HTo, SeM (median 11/2). Late south 11/30 Ramsey LiH, Wabasha ebd, but see winter report (median 12/22).
Wood Thrush
(Hylocichla mustelina)
719 Notable fall records: 9/11 Sibley WCM, 9/24 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) PRH. High count 9/10 Hennepin (3, Wood Lake N.C.) ebd. Late north 8/23 Mille Lacs HHD, 8/31 Douglas (Lake Carlos S.P.) ToR, 9/1 Mille Lacs (Mille Lacs Kathio S.P.) JWZ (median 9/14). Late south 10/2 Hennepin (Wood Lake N.C.) VRL, 10/5 Dakota ebd, Hennepin (Eden Prairie) HPe, MyP, (Crow-Hassan P.R.) WCM, Washington PNi (median 10/1).
American Robin
(Turdus migratorius)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 10/5 St. Louis (3,658, H.R.N.R.) SeM, 10/5 St. Louis (3,000, Central Hillside, Duluth) NGi, 10/6 St. Louis (1,264, H.R.N.R.) JsC.
Varied Thrush
(Ixoreus naevius)
2 All north (median 11/12) 11/24 Cook (Grand Marais Harbor) ph. LWd, 11/29–30+ Aitkin (Jacobson) ebd.
Old World Sparrows
House Sparrow
(Passer domesticus)
3453 Reported statewide. High counts 9/5 Wabasha (200, Oakwood) ebd, 11/12 Lyon (175) GWe.
EURASIAN TREE SPARROW
(Passer montanus)
12 All north 11/24 Polk (East Grand Forks) ph. †SAu. All south 8/29 – 11/26 Meeker (continuing birds in Dassel area yard) †AXH, m.ob.; new county record 10/13 Goodhue (Minneola Twp.) ph. †JlF.
House Sparrow X Eurasian Tree Sparrow
(Passer domesticus X P. montanus)
1 One report: 10/6–13 St. Louis (Central Hillside, Duluth) ph. NGi.
Pipits
American Pipit
(Anthus rubescens)
2249 Early north (median 9/5) 9/1 St. Louis (Park Point) LSw, 9/11 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SeM, 9/12 Grant/Wilkin EHi. Early south (median 9/8) 9/10 Swift AaL CLu, 9/11 Dakota DVe, 9/12 Olmsted LAV, JmP, 9/14 Rice ebd. High counts 9/22 St. Louis (301, Brighton Beach) HTo, IDv, SeM, ASu, 9/27 St. Louis (243, Arnold Rd., Duluth) KDx, ClN. Late north 11/5 Cook (10, Grand Marais Harbor) ebd, 11/13 Cook (2, Grand Marais Harbor) LWd, 11/17 St. Louis SeM (median 11/9). Late south 11/21 Renville ANy, 11/22 Washington BLz, 11/23 Hennepin ebd (median 11/13),
Finches
Evening Grosbeak
(Coccothraustes vespertinus)
134 All south 11/9 Washington CBu, 11/10 Wabasha (female, West Albany Twp.) MNb, 11/13 McLeod (adult male, Lester Prairie) fide EzH, 11/30 Houston (female, La Crescent) ebd. High counts 11/12 Cook (125, Barker Lake Road Area) LWd, 11/22 St. Louis (75, Sax-Zim Bog) KTP, ebd.
Pine Grosbeak
(Pinicola enucleator)
10 Early north (median 10/19) 10/18 St. Louis (Duluth) ebd, 10/24 St. Louis (Bear Head Lake S.P.) ebd, 10/27 Cook (5) LWd, 10/30 also in Aitkin, Lake, Roseau. High counts 10/30 Cook (122, Pincushion Mountain Trail System) AxB, 11/17 St. Louis (69, H.R.N.R.) JsC.
House Finch
(Haemorhous mexicanus)
2952 Found statewide. High counts 9/3 Scott (100, Blue Lake) BLz, 9/27 Douglas (54, Buckskin Road) BEc, 10/30 Washington (50, Oakdale Nature Preserve) JDS.
Purple Finch
(Haemorhous purpureus)
3143 Fewest reports from Southwest. High counts 10/4 St. Louis (526, H.R.N.R.) JsC, 10/30 St. Louis (494, H.R.N.R.) SeM, 10/7 St. Louis (420, H.R.N.R.) SeM, 10/26 St. Louis (416, Stony Point) SeM.
Common Redpoll
(Acanthis flammea)
147 Early north (median 10/17) 10/20 St. Louis (Park Point) ebd, 10/29 Lake (5) TWe, St. Louis (Park Point) NGi, (McQuade Small Craft Harbor) AnB, TPu, MwT, ebd. Early south (median 11/1) 10/25 Meeker PKF, 11/1–2 Wabasha (2) MNb, 11/2 Scott (2) BHe. High counts 11/27 St. Louis (85, Stony Point) StK, SeM, 11/26 St. Louis (62, H.R.N.R.) JsC, 11/27 St. Louis (59, H.R.N.R.) JsC.
Hoary Redpoll
(Acanthis hornemanni)
No reports.
Red Crossbill
(Loxia curvirostra)
136 Found in most North-central and all Northeast counties. Additional north reports 8/2 Kittson EHi, 9/17–18 Becker (Tamarac N.W.R.) TkL, ebd, 10/30 Kanabec SPS, 11/6 Becker (Smoky Hills S.F.) ebd. All south 8/1 Washington (2, Otisville) JoF, 8/31 – 9/8 Anoka (Victor Hill Cemetery) JGW, m.ob., 10/31 – 11/1 Olmsted (Oxbow Park) LHl, KEm, 11/13 Isanti (2, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) MZa, Ramsey (max. 4, Vadnais Lake) ebd, DnS, MWS 11/21 Anoka (2, Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve) MZa, 11/25 Ramsey (2, Sucker Lake) DnS, LrV, 11/26 Lyon (Southwest Minnesota State University) RJS. High counts 11/24 St. Louis (172, Stony Point) StK, SNe, 11/11 St. Louis (52, Stony Point) SeM, 11/27 St. Louis (42, Stony Point) SeM, StK.
White-winged Crossbill
(Loxia leucoptera)
55 Reported north throughout the season from St. Louis and Cook. All other north reports 8/26–27 Lake (Lake One) ebd, 10/15 Lake (Two Harbors) GWe, 10/22 Itasca ebd, 11/19 Roseau BCS, 11/27 Itasca SC. All south 10/19 Dakota (2) CRe, 10/23 Lyon (2) GWe, 11/3 Meeker (8) PKF, 11/18 Wright RCl, 11/26 Hennepin ebd. High counts 11/24 St. Louis (60, Stony Point) StK, SNe, 11/13 Cook (24, Grand Marais Harbor) LWd.
Pine Siskin
(Spinus pinus)
2418 Few reports from West-central region and none from the Southwest. High counts all from St. Louis: 11/19 (280, Stony Point) SeM, HTo, StK, 10/30 (134, H.R.N.R.) SeM, 11/17 (122, Stony Point) SeM, 11/11 (90, H.R.N.R.) JsC.
American Goldfinch
(Spinus tristis)
3453 Found in every county. High counts all from Stony Point in St. Louis: 11/11 (531) SeM, 10/26 (232) SeM, 11/24 (225) SNe, StK, 10/26 (205) HTo, StK.
Longspurs and Snow Buntings
Lapland Longspur
(Calcarius lapponicus)
2645 Seen statewide. Early north (median 9/14) 8/31 Cook ebd, 9/10 St. Louis MLH. Early south (median 9/24) 9/21 Dodge (9) LHl, 9/22 Carver (3) WCM, 9/23 Freeborn (3) JGW. High counts 10/23 Lyon (1,500, Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe, 10/31 Clay (700, Moland Twp.) TCL, 11/4 Lyon (700, Lone Tree Lake) RJS.
Chestnut-collared Longspur
(Calcarius ornatus)
No fall reports since 2010.
Smith's Longspur
(Calcarius pictus)
27 All north (median arrival 9/30) 8/30 St. Louis (Park Point R.A., near airport) ClN, KDx, 10/9 St. Louis (Park Point R.A., near airport) JLK, 10/20 Clay (10) TkL. All south 9/11-13 Waseca (Janesville W.T.P.) JGW, JWH, m.ob., 9/17 Carver (Carver P.R., Grimm Rd) JCy, 9/29 Olmsted (C.R. 9 and C.R. 102) LAV, m.ob., 10/19 Lac qui Parle DLP, 10/20–27 Cottonwood (max. 20, highest tally) JWZ, KEm, ebd, APi, 10/21 Lac qui Parle (Salt Lake) WCM, Murray GWe, 10/22 Lyon (10, Sham Lake) GWe, 10/23 Lyon (Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe.
Snow Bunting
(Plectrophenax nivalis)
2836 Widespread across the state, except for the southernmost counties. Early north (median 10/9) 10/10 Cook (2, Grand Marais) ebd, St. Louis JLK, 10/13 Cook (Oberg Mountain) ebd, 10/15 Lake of the Woods (5) BCS. Early south (median 10/18) 10/19 Benton (5) MJB, Carver (7) TWe, Hennepin JBh, Sherburne (2) ebd, 10/20 also in Lac qui Parle, Stearns, Swift. High counts 11/3 Stearns (415, Spring Hill C.P.) AaL, 11/16 Kittson (400, south of Hallock) HHu, 11/24 Polk (400, Farley Twp.) SAu.
Towhees, Sparrows
Grasshopper Sparrow
(Ammodramus savannarum)
617 High counts 8/3 Clay (35, Felton Prairie) ebd, 8/6 Clay (7, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, 8/7 Washington (6, Grey Cloud Dunes S.N.A.) DuW. Late north 9/27 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) ClN, KDx, JfD, Todd (2) JLK, 10/6 St. Louis SeM, NGi, ASu, JWL, 10/14 Cook (Sugarloaf Point S.N.A.) JZj, 10/30 Cook (Lutsen Resort) BWF, m.ob., (Grand Marais Campground) MwT, m.ob. Late south 9/25 Blue Earth ebd, 9/30 Anoka MZa, 10/15 Rock ebd (median 9/30).
Lark Sparrow
(Chondestes grammacus)
716 Most north reports ever for fall season. High count 8/13 Dakota (6, 140th St. Marsh) ebd. Late north 8/14 Clay PBB, 8/16 Otter Tail (Glendalough S.P.) BAr, 9/5 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, KDx, ClN, 9/9 Otter Tail (Fergus Falls) DFe, Wilkin DFe. Late south 9/9 Washington DuW, 9/10 Hennepin (Minneapolis) ebd, Pope ebd, 9/11 Hennepin (Westwood Hills N.C.) ebd (median 9/20).
Chipping Sparrow
(Spizella passerina)
3453 Found in every county. High counts 9/27 Clay (50, Viking Ship Park) ebd, 9/9 Scott (48, Prior Lake) ebd, 9/17 Polk (43, East Grand Forks) SAu. Late north 10/30 Cook m.ob., Norman (2) SAu, 11/5–7 Todd SDi, 11/24 Otter Tail ebd (median 11/11). Late south 11/18–19 Ramsey DnS, PNi, 11/19 Hennepin ebd, 11/20 Winona (3) ebd (median 11/22).
Clay-colored Sparrow
(Spizella pallida)
2943 High counts 9/3 Polk (34, Glacial Ridge N.W.R.) GHo, KDS, 8/3 Clay (30, Bluestem Prairie S.N.A.) ebd, 9/2 Otter Tail (25, Eagle Lake Twp.) JSw, JsS. Late north 10/20 Douglas (2) BEc, 10/22 St. Louis (2) ebd, 10/30 Otter Tail ebd, 10/30–31 Cook WCM, m.ob. (median 10/19). Late south 10/18 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey ebd, 10/20 Yellow Medicine GWe, 10/29 Washington GWe, 11/3 Scott TWe (median 10/18).
Field Sparrow
(Spizella pusilla)
1045 All reports south of a line from Clay County to Duluth. High counts 8/7 Carver (21, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy, 8/6 Goodhue (14, Frontenac S.P.) SDz. Late north 9/17 Clay ebd, 9/26–27 Todd JLK, 10/5 Grant CNn (median 10/19). Late south 10/30 Dakota DuW, ebd, 10/30–31 Wabasha MNb, 11/9 Washington JHe (median 10/27).
Fox Sparrow
(Passerella iliaca)
2846 Early north (median 9/19) 9/18 Itasca ebd, 9/20 Polk TJJ, 9/22 Kanabec (2) JGW, St. Louis (Hermantown) JLK, (8, Park Point) ebd. Early south (median 9/20) 9/13 Hennepin (Edina) ebd, 9/17 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R.) ebd, 9/22 Washington JDS, JHe. High counts 10/24 Hennepin (34) TAT, 10/12 Wright (30, Annandale) ebd, 10/23 Carver (25, Rapids Lake Education & Visitor Center) TWe. Late north 11/18 St. Louis ebd, 11/20–24 Cass JC, 11/24 Morrison CLu, AaL, TLu (median 12/16).
American Tree Sparrow
(Spizelloides arborea)
3249 Reported from all but six counties. Early north (median 9/25) 9/17 Itasca ebd, 9/18 Todd (2) SDi, 9/19 St. Louis ebd. Early south (median 9/29) 9/24 Meeker PKF, 9/26 Pipestone LVD, 9/27 Sherburne (2) ebd. High counts 11/8 Lyon (200, Runholt Slough) RJS, 11/22 Clay (150, Noreen W.P.A.) TkL, 11/21 Stearns (147, Brockway Twp.) MhJ.
Dark-eyed Junco
(Junco hyemalis)
3352 Reported from every county except Traverse and Swift. Early south (median 9/9) 9/10 Hennepin ebd, 9/13 Wabasha MNb, 9/17 Lac qui Parle FAE, 9/18 Ramsey BBr. High count 10/7 St. Louis (300, Meadowlands) IaG, 10/7 St. Louis (182, Western Waterfront Trail ) JLK, 10/13 Kanabec (156, Mora) CRM, m.ob. Oreganus group recorded in 3 north and 11 south counties between 10/6 and 11/30; all were singles except 10/21 Murray (2) GWe.
White-crowned Sparrow
(Zonotrichia leucophrys)
2748 Early north (median 9/9) 9/7 Cook LSw, 9/9 Lake ebd, St. Louis (2) ebd. Early south (median 9/16) 9/10 Renville ebd, 9/11 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey DnS. High counts 10/9 St. Louis (30, Park Point R.A.) NGi, 10/11 Carver (23, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum) ebd. Late north 11/4 Lake ebd, 11/6 Cook (Lutsen Resort) KRE, VRL, KOC, 11/7 Cook (2, Grand Marais Harbor) LWd (median 12/17). Late south 11/25 Yellow Medicine (3) ebd, 11/27 Lyon RJS, 11/29 Dakota KDS (median 12/20). Subspecies gambelli reported between 9/12 and 11/25, from St. Louis and Lake north, and from Yellow Medicine, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota south; highest tally was 7 on 9/27 in St. Louis ClN.
Harris's Sparrow
(Zonotrichia querula)
3048 Found in every region, though fewest reports from Southeast. Early north (median 9/16) 8/10 St. Louis (Lakeside/Lester Park, Duluth; apparently also present sporadically in the summer) ph. MRz, 9/9–11 Polk SAu, 9/11 Lake JWL, SLL. Early south (median 9/22) 9/19 Anoka ebd, 9/24 Big Stone DLP, Brown EHi, Hennepin ebd, Lac qui Parle (3) DLP, Lyon (7) NMe, Ramsey ECl, ebd, Rock (6) PRH. High counts 10/16 Rock (80, Blue Mounds S.P.) BAb, 10/21 Pipestone (64, Split Rock Creek S.P.) VKl, 10/16 Rock (40, Schoneman Park) BAb, 9/27 Marshall (35, Agassiz N.W.R.) EHi.
White-throated Sparrow
(Zonotrichia albicollis)
3353 Seen in every county except Traverse. Oversummered in Sherburne; elsewhere, first south reports (median 8/26) 8/13 Ramsey ChP, ebd, 8/19 Dakota ebd, 8/26 Hennepin (3) ebd. High counts 10/6 Lake (310, southwest of Two Harbors) JWL, 10/15 Hennepin (228, Theodore Wirth Park) JCa, 10/8 Hennepin (204, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa.
Vesper Sparrow
(Pooecetes gramineus)
2142 Found in all regions, though few reports in Northeast and North-central. High counts 9/8 Crow Wing (12, St. Mathias Twp.) EHi, 9/10 Stearns (10, Munson Twp.) DRL, 9/10 Stearns (10, Dutch Ave. N) DRL, ebd. Late north 10/8 Otter Tail BAr, 10/13 Clay (2) TkL, 10/26 Todd SDi (median 10/21). Late south 10/24 Wabasha (Lake City) MNb, 10/24–26 Meeker PKF, 10/31 Wabasha (Lake City) MNb (median 10/27).
LeConte's Sparrow
(Ammospiza leconteii)
1139 Reported from every region. Early south (median 9/13) 8/31 Ramsey ebd, 9/22 Hennepin JCa, 9/24 Olmsted LAV, JPr, JmP, ebd. High counts 10/15 Rock (8, Schoneman Park) ebd, 9/27 Nobles (6) ANy. Late north 10/5 Clay (3, Moorhead) DPW, Polk HHu, 10/10 Clay (2, Moorhead) DPW, 10/16 St. Louis ebd (median 10/13). Late south 10/22 Carver JCy, Lyon (2) GWe, Washington ebd, 10/23 Anoka DFN, 10/30 Blue Earth ChH (median 10/20).
Nelson's Sparrow
(Ammospiza nelsoni)
414 Found in every region except North-central and Northeast. Early south (median 9/18) 9/19 Olmsted LAV, JWH, 9/21 Hennepin BLz, 9/23 Martin EHi. High counts 9/24 Houston (3, Upper Mississippi N.W.R.) KEm, JWH, Olmsted (3, South Landfill Reservoir) ebd. All north 9/18 Otter Tail (Orwell W.M.A.) BAr, 9/21 Polk (Angus Oslo 4 Flood Control Project) HHu, 9/27 Marshall (Agassiz N.W.R.) EHi, 10/9 Mille Lacs (2, Onamia) BbS. Late south 10/12 Ramsey LiH, APi, 10/15 Rock ebd, 10/29 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) KSz, 10/30 Olmsted (Silver Creek Reservoir) MiD (median 10/9).
Henslow's Sparrow
(Centronyx henslowii)
18 All north 8/2–3 Clay (2, Felton Prairie) ebd. High counts 8/11 Cottonwood (7, Des Moines River W.P.A.) KEm, 8/7 Scott (4, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) BPR. Late south 8/13–14 Wabasha (2, Weaver Dunes) TWe, SDz, JtM, 8/14 Wabasha (McCarthy Lake) SDz, JtM, 8/26 Olmsted LAV, 8/28 Hennepin ebd (median 8/24).
Savannah Sparrow
(Passerculus sandwichensis)
3352 Unreported only from Koochiching and Redwood. High counts 10/20 Yellow Medicine (55, Echo W.T.P.) GWe, 10/5 Sibley (51, Helen Twp.) JCa, 9/24 Cottonwood (40, Rock Ridge Prairie S.N.A.) EHi. Late north 10/31 Clay TCL, 10/31 – 11/2 St. Louis (Central Hillside, Duluth) NGi, 11/1 Lake (2) AxB, 11/4 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) JLK (median 11/5). Late south 11/12 Lyon GWe, 11/13 Dakota (180th St. Marsh) ebd, Hennepin DEl, 11/20 Olmsted (2) LAV, 11/25 Dakota (3, Great Western Industrial Park) KDS (median 11/8).
Song Sparrow
(Melospiza melodia)
3453 Reported from every county. High counts 8/11 St. Louis (47, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 10/9 Dakota (42, Castle Rock Twp.) JCa, 8/17 St. Louis (36, Park Point R.A.) JLK. Late north 11/7 Lake MLH, 11/13–14 Todd SDi, 11/18 Polk (2) TJJ, 11/24 Cass ebd (median 12/18).
Lincoln's Sparrow
(Melospiza lincolnii)
2752 Early south (median 8/29) 8/27 Ramsey (Sucker Lake) DnS, MWS, Sherburne (2) RCl, 8/30 Dakota ebd, Ramsey (Poplar Lake) APi. High counts 10/4 Lac qui Parle (22, Big Stone N.W.R., Auto Tour Road) DLP, 9/26 Clay (20, Moorhead) DPW, 10/1 Yellow Medicine (19, Wood Lake Twp.) BrR. Late north 10/26 Todd SDi, 10/26–28 Clay (Moorhead) DPW, 11/13–16 Polk (Agassiz Audubon Sanctuary) HHu (median 10/27). Late south 11/4 Scott (2) BHe, 11/5 Stevens DLP, 11/6–22 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) TAT, m.ob. (median 11/8).
Swamp Sparrow
(Melospiza georgiana)
2953 Unreported only from Pennington, Red Lake, Norman, Mahnomen, Traverse. High counts 10/8 Hennepin (54, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa, 10/5 Sibley (37, High Island Lake) JCa, 10/1 Yellow Medicine (34, Wood Lake Twp.) BrR. Late north 10/31 Clay DPW, 11/1 Cook KDS, GHo, 11/3 Otter Tail ebd, St. Louis SeM (median 11/1).
ABERT'S TOWHEE
(Melozone aberti)
1 A pair of birds discovered in June and which were the first for the state remained until 11/19 Itasca (Grand Rapids) JWL (The Loon 94:174–178).
Spotted Towhee
(Pipilo maculatus)
23 Scattered reports across the state. All north 10/4 Otter Tail RBW, 11/20–21 Lake (Two Harbors) MLH, JWL, LiH, JGW. All south 10/6 Rock (Blue Mounds S.P.) PRH, 11/13–30+ Meeker (Collinwood Twp.) ph. PKF, m.ob., 11/30+ Faribault (Dunbar Twp.) ph. fide ChH (median 10/15). Also see winter report.
Eastern Towhee
(Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
1033 Found in every region except the West-Central. High counts 8/11 Wabasha (13, Snake Creek ATV Trail) ebd, 8/4 Sherburne (10, Sherburne N.W.R.) JGb. Late north 9/18 Polk TJJ, 9/19 Cass ebd, 9/24 Pine SHF, BAF (median 10/7). Late south 11/4 Wabasha MNb, 11/9 Dakota (2) DVe, 11/18 Kandiyohi ebd (median 11/10).
Blackbirds, Orioles
Yellow-headed Blackbird
(Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus)
1433 High counts 9/3 Lyon (425, Cottonwood W.T.P.) GWe, 8/19 Grant (170, North Ottawa Impoundment) SSP, 8/11 Blue Earth (124, Medo Twp.) WCM. Late north 9/8 Becker NaH, 9/9 Morrison (2) EHi, 9/29 Aitkin LBa (median 10/8). Late south 11/5 Lyon (Lucas Twp.) ebd, 11/10 Lyon (Lyons Twp.) RJS, 11/17–18 Dakota (Marshan Twp.) KDS, CTS (median 11/10).
Bobolink
(Dolichonyx oryzivorus)
2035 High counts 8/14 Cottonwood (100, Rock Ridge Prairie S.N.A.) BRB, 8/23 Carver (50, Tacoma Ave. Area Fields) MaS, 9/3 Red Lake (35, Marcoux Prairie) GHo, KDS. Late north 9/26 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) ebd, ASu, HTo, IDv, 10/4, 10/5 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) JsC, SeM, 10/21 Pine (4) FKB (median 9/29). Late south 10/9 Meeker KEm, JWH, Sibley (2) GWe, 10/9–12 Olmsted LAV, m.ob., 10/23 Lyon GWe (median 10/5).
Eastern Meadowlark
(Sturnella magna)
725 High counts 10/1 Rice (12, Carleton College Cowling Arboretum) AvB, 9/24 Olmsted (10, Kalmar Reservoir) ebd, 10/5 Hennepin (9, Crow-Hassan P.R.) WCM. All north reports after August: 9/22 Kanabec (2, Kanabec Twp.) JGW, 10/2 Crow Wing JLK, 10/9 Pine KPJ, 10/11 Kanabec (South Fork Twp.) BLz. Late south 11/6 Olmsted (2) ebd, 11/13 Ramsey ebd, Steele (3) PAl, ebd, 11/25 Dakota KDS (median 10/29).
Western Meadowlark
(Sturnella neglecta)
2426 Seen mostly in the western half of the state and along the North Shore; fewest reports from East-central and Southeast. High counts 8/26 Polk (21, East Grand Forks W.T.P.) ebd, 9/24 Cottonwood (15, Rock Ridge Prairie S.N.A.) EHi. Late north 11/22 Clay (4) TkL, 11/24 Morrison KEm, SEm, 11/25 Becker NaH (median 11/7). Late south 11/21 Meeker ANy, 11/21–22 Rock (3) KEm, 11/24–25 Dakota KDS (median 11/16).
Orchard Oriole
(Icterus spurius)
420 High counts 8/3 Fillmore (12, Schueler W.M.A.) ToM, 8/5 Grant (10, Delaware Twp.) CNn. Late north 8/7 Becker (Hamden Slough N.W.R.) ebd, Polk (3, Agassiz Audubon Sanctuary) ebd, 8/10 Polk SAu, 8/27 St. Louis KDx, HBr, ClN, 8/28–30 Grant CNn (median 8/21). Late south 9/10 Anoka ebd, Dakota ebd, 9/10–18 Steele (Somerset Twp.) PSu (median 8/25).
Baltimore Oriole
(Icterus galbula)
2945 High counts 9/2 Morrison (20, Riverview Drive, Little Falls) ebd, 8/27, 9/2 Renville (16, Birch Cooley Twp.) LoH. Late north 9/13 Becker ebd, Cass JBu, 9/18 St. Louis (2) JLK (median 9/19). Late south 9/21 Hennepin ebd, 10/13–27 Rice JHl, 11/8 Washington MTe (median 10/11).
Red-winged Blackbird
(Agelaius phoeniceus)
3452 Found in every county except Redwood. High counts 10/22 Pope (5,000, Lair Lake) ebd, 10/22 Lyon (2,400, Green Valley W.M.A.) GWe, 8/24 Dakota (2,000, 140th St. Marsh) ebd, 10/12 Stearns (2,000, Wakefield Twp.) DRL, ebd.
Brown-headed Cowbird
(Molothrus ater)
1946 High count 9/22 Murray (300, Belfast Twp.) CRM, m.ob. Late north 9/29 Aitkin LBa, Itasca (2) ebd, 10/8 Polk (2) HHu, 10/12 Clay (20) TkL, 11/5 Otter Tail ebd (median 10/18). See winter report for late south migrants.
Rusty Blackbird
(Euphagus carolinus)
2943 Early north (median 9/12) 9/8 St. Louis (63, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 9/10 Lake (3, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness) ebd, St. Louis (2, Brighton Beach) IsH, HTo, StK, IDv, EzH, 9/11 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, 9/13 Lake of the Woods ebd. Early south (median 9/21) 9/14 Anoka ASc, 9/20 Dakota ebd, JHl, Sherburne HHD, 9/21 Olmsted (3) LAV. High counts 11/7 Meeker (1,800, Lake Ripley, north side) DPG, 10/26 St. Louis (1,220, Stony Point) SeM, 9/26 St. Louis (1,077, Brighton Beach) HTo, IDv, ASu, ebd. See winter report for overwintering birds north and south.
Brewer's Blackbird
(Euphagus cyanocephalus)
1837 High counts 10/14 Otter Tail (800, Julsrud W.P.A.) TkL, 10/31 Clay (400, Tansem Twp.) TkL, 11/6 Wright (240, Pelican Lake) RCl. Late north 11/5 Wadena (10) JBu, 11/12–13 Clay (Cromwell Twp.) PBB, 11/14 Clay (2, Clay County W.P.A.) TkL, 11/15 Polk HHu (median 11/6). Late south 11/9 Stevens DLP, 11/10 Lyon (3) RJS, 11/16 Wright (2) RBd (median 11/15).
Common Grackle
(Quiscalus quiscula)
3353 Found in every county but Red Lake. High counts 10/8 Becker (6,000, Hamden Slough N.W.R.) ebd, 11/5 Stearns (1,500, Lynden Twp.) ebd, 10/14 Otter Tail (1,200, Julsrud W.P.A.) TkL, 10/18 Grant (1,200, Delaware Twp.) CNn, 11/1 Otter Tail (1,200, Everts Twp.) TFu.
Great-tailed Grackle
(Quiscalus mexicanus)
First fall season with no reports since 2003 when this species was considered Casual.
Warblers
Ovenbird
(Seiurus aurocapilla)
2944 High counts 9/10 Hennepin (17) ClB, 9/10 Hennepin (16, Wood Lake N.C.) ebd, 9/3 Anoka (14, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) DnS, ASu. Late north 10/1 Kanabec BAb, 10/5 Lake KRE, m.ob., 10/18 Carlton (Jay Cooke S.P.) ebd (median 10/1). Late south 10/20 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) ebd, 10/25 Hennepin (Pamela Park) JCa, 11/4 Hennepin (downtown Minneapolis) NMt (median 10/21).
Louisiana Waterthrush
(Parkesia motacilla)
First fall season with no reports since 2008.
Northern Waterthrush
(Parkesia noveboracensis)
2736 Found in all regions. High counts 8/30 St. Louis (12, Brighton Beach) IDv, KJB, HTo, StK, SNe, 9/10 Ramsey (9, Tony Schmidt Park) LiH. Late north 9/26 Todd JLK, 9/28 Becker ebd, 9/30 Lake ebd, 10/5 Cass ebd (median 9/28). Late south 10/9 Hennepin (three locations) ebd, Ramsey ebd, 10/10 Hennepin (a fourth location) ebd, 10/20 Chisago ebd (median 10/5).
Golden-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera)
2432 Reported from most counties east of a line from Marshall to Martin. High counts 8/26 Anoka (12, Linwood Lake) JCa, 9/10 Hennepin (12, Lake Hiawatha and Wood Lake N.C.) ClB. Late north 9/19 Carlton ebd, Morrison DLP, St. Louis SeM, IDv, HTo (median 9/14). Late south 9/20 Goodhue JtM, 9/21 Ramsey DnS, 9/27 Hennepin VRL, 10/3 Benton HHD (median 9/25).
Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora cyanoptera)
122 Most reports from the East-central region. All north 8/9, 8/19 Pine (Pine City Twp.) SBE, CRM, m.ob. High count 8/7 Carver (4, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy. Late south 9/12 Goodhue KDS, Houston ASu, 9/14 Dakota KDS, 9/24 Anoka RSk (median 9/18).
Golden-winged Warbler X Blue-winged Warbler
(Vermivora chrysoptera X V. cyanoptera)
4 Two “Lawrence’s” 8/7 Carver (Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy, 8/27 Le Sueur (Sakatah Cemetery) BAb, and two “Brewster’s” 8/28 Anoka (Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 9/10 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd.
Black-and-white Warbler
(Mniotilta varia)
3252 Found in every county except Norman, Wilkin, Cottonwood. High counts 8/24 Anoka (33, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 8/31 St. Louis (33, Brighton Beach) SNe, HTo, KJB, SeM, StK. Late north 10/3 Grant CNn, 10/4 Pine JSa, 10/6 Lake JlB (median 10/4). Late south 10/4 Dakota KDS, Goodhue PEJ, Hennepin CMB, 10/5 Ramsey JZj, ebd, 10/8 Olmsted ebd (median 10/6).
Prothonotary Warbler
(Protonotaria citrea)
11 Ties prior fall as the best fall season ever for this species. Reported from most counties along Mississippi River between Sherburne and Houston, but also Renville, Brown, Nicollet, and Carver along the Minnesota River. Highest tally only two. Late south 8/22 Dakota DWK, Nicollet BTS, MiO, Renville ebd, 8/26 Houston (2) EHi, 8/29 Hennepin (2) ebd (median 9/2).
Tennessee Warbler
(Leiothlypis peregrina)
3150 Seen statewide. High counts 9/19 St. Louis (110, Brighton Beach) SeM, IDv, HTo, 9/10 Hennepin (69, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa. Late north 10/16 Lake JWL, 10/18 St. Louis NGi, 10/30 Cook ebd, MWS, TWe (median 10/16). Late south 10/30 Hennepin (2, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ABL, 11/1 Hennepin (Lake Hiawatha Park) BAF, SHF, 11/7 Dakota DFN (median 10/21).
Orange-crowned Warbler
(Leiothlypis celata)
2750 Early north (median 9/2) 9/3 Polk (Agassiz Valley) HHu, 9/4 Marshall (2) ANy, Polk (Red River S.R.A.) AaL, CLu, Todd SDi. Early south (median 9/1) 9/1 Meeker PKF, 9/2 McLeod BHa, Murray SLH, Ramsey (2) ebd. High counts 10/1 Hennepin (36, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa, 10/8 Hennepin (31, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa, 9/23 Carver (22, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy. Late north 10/19 Clay TkL, 10/28 Lake CRM, 10/29 Cook (Solbakken Resort) NMe, 10/30 Cook (Grand Marais) TWe (median 10/28). Late south 11/9 Ramsey (University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus) AnA, Renville MJB, 11/10 Ramsey (Sarita Wetland) ebd (median 11/1). Note: Insufficiently documented August reports are excluded.
Nashville Warbler
(Leiothlypis ruficapilla)
3353 Found in every county except Kittson. High counts 8/22 St. Louis (120, Brighton Beach) StK, IDv, 9/22 St. Louis (116, Brighton Beach) ASu, SeM, IDv, HTo. Late north 10/30 Cook (Grand Marais) ASu, Lake EzH, AwG, IsH, 11/1 Cook (Lutsen Sea Villas) KDS (median 10/24). Late south 10/24 Hennepin (Lake Harriet) CWB, 10/26, 10/30 Hennepin (Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) ebd, ABL (median 10/26).
Connecticut Warbler
(Oporornis agilis)
713 All reports from the eastern half of the state. Early south (median 8/25) 8/20 Carver (Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) DWK, 8/22 Benton ANy, Carver (Fox Woods Preserve) WCM, 8/24 Meeker PKF. Highest tallies only two. Late north 9/19 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) IDv, SeM, HTo, 10/3 Kanabec DPG, 10/15 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) JLK (median 9/17). Late south 9/10 Dakota AnB, MwT, ebd, Ramsey LiH, Wabasha MNb, 9/18 Hennepin JHv, 9/22 Anoka DPG (median 9/21).
Mourning Warbler
(Geothlypis philadelphia)
1430 Found in every region. High counts of four from four north locations within breeding range: Cook, St. Louis (3 different sites). High tallies of migrants: 8/20 Lyon (4, Camden S.P.) GWe, 9/3 Hennepin (4, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden) ebd. Late north 9/10 Lake JWL, St. Louis (Brighton Beach) StK, HTo, SeM, IDv, (H.R.B.O.) FJN, 9/12 St. Louis (Hartley Park) JLK, 9/15 Todd SDi (median 9/15). Late south 9/30 Wabasha MNb, 10/1 Goodhue ebd, 10/7 Washington GBu (median 9/28).
Common Yellowthroat
(Geothlypis trichas)
3452 Found in every county except Jackson. High counts 8/26 Anoka (31, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) JCa, 9/5 Anoka (31, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) ASu, 8/14 Carver (27, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy. Late north 10/16 St. Louis JLK, 10/20 Cass ebd, 10/23 Cook ToL (median 10/13). Late south 10/23 Lyon GWe, 11/9 Renville MJB, 11/22 Hennepin TAT (median 10/25).
Hooded Warbler
(Setophaga citrina)
2 Reported at Murphy-Hanrehan P.R. in Scott County 8/1 – 9/3, with a high count of 3 on 8/7 GWe. Only other report 9/5 Washington (Afton S.P.) MaS.
American Redstart
(Setophaga ruticilla)
3248 Reported widely, though few reports from Southwest. High count 8/31 St. Louis (254, Brighton Beach) StK, SeM, HTo, KJB, IDv, SNe. Late north 10/3 Aitkin LBa, Itasca (2) ebd, 10/4 Clearwater (4) ebd, Pennington JMJ, 10/5 St. Louis RZi (median 10/11). Late south 10/10 Dakota TPu, 10/14 Ramsey MWS, 10/18 Hennepin JuW (median 10/9).
Cape May Warbler
(Setophaga tigrina)
1825 Few reports from the West-central, and none from the Southwest region. Early south (median 8/22) 8/17–19 Goodhue (Red Wing) ebd, 8/19 Anoka (Coon Rapids) ebd, 8/20 Anoka (Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) ebd, Carver JCy. High count 9/10 St. Louis (8, Brighton Beach) HTo, IDv, StK, HTo, SeM. Late north 10/4 Lake ebd, 10/6 St. Louis (Stony Point) ASu, NGi, SeM, (2, Hartley Park) JLK, 10/7 St. Louis (downtown Duluth) JWL, 10/9 St. Louis (Bagley N.C.) ebd (median 10/5). Late south 9/24 Dodge JGW, 9/25 Hennepin (North Minneapolis) ebd, 9/26 Carver JCy, 10/5 Hennepin (Lyndale neighborhood, Minneapolis) SOa (median 9/30).
Cerulean Warbler
(Setophaga cerulea)
5 All south 8/1 Nicollet RBW, 8/11 Houston (Reno, Hillside Rd.) JGW, Wabasha (Watopa Twp.) ebd, 8/15 Winona (Whitewater S.P.) LHl, 8/20 Nicollet (2, Seven Mile Creek C.P.) BAb, 9/2 Ramsey (Lake Como) †LiH.
Northern Parula
(Setophaga americana)
2539 Early south (median 8/16) 8/14 Anoka CF, 8/15 Ramsey DnS, 8/18 Chisago ELC. High counts 9/5 Anoka (28, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) ASu, 9/10 St. Louis (11, Brighton Beach) SeM. Late north 10/9 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, 10/29 Lake (Iona’s Beach S.N.A.) ClB, LiH, 10/30 St. Louis NGi (median 10/3). Late south 10/7 Anoka GWe, 10/12 Hennepin ebd, 11/8 Scott BAb, BLz, DWK (median 10/3).
Magnolia Warbler
(Setophaga magnolia)
3245 Early south (median 8/16) 8/14 Hennepin ebd, Ramsey (Arden Hills) LiH, 8/15 Ramsey (2, Snail Lake R.P.) MWS, 8/16 Ramsey (Lauderdale) ebd. High count 9/10 St. Louis (70, Brighton Beach) StK, HTo, IDv. Late north 10/2 Itasca ebd, 10/3 St. Louis (Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 10/4 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) ebd, 10/5 St. Louis (Lakeside/Lester Park, Duluth) BEA (median 10/3). Late south 10/7 Carver NWi, Wabasha MNb, 10/8 Chisago ELC, Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) DnS, 10/15 Ramsey (Vadnais Lake) LiH (median 10/7).
Bay-breasted Warbler
(Setophaga castanea)
3146 Reported from the highest number counties ever for fall. Early south (median 8/19) 8/17 Ramsey BAr, 8/19 Anoka (Coon Rapids Dam R.P.) DFe, 8/20 Anoka (Linwood Lake) CF, Carver JCy, Hennepin SBM, ebd, Meeker DWK. High counts 9/5 Anoka (12, Linwood Lake) JGW, 9/5 Anoka (11, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Park Reserve) GWe, ASu. Late north 9/27 St. Louis NGi, 9/29 Morrison DLP, DLP, 10/30 Cook WCM (median 9/28). Late south 10/5 Brown SLH, Olmsted LHl, Sherburne (2) PLJ, 10/14 Hennepin DWK (median 10/5),
Blackburnian Warbler
(Setophaga fusca)
2340 Early south (median 8/8) 8/1 Hennepin PRH, 8/11 Carver ebd, Houston JGW, Olmsted LAV. High counts 8/21, 8/27 Carver (7, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy, 8/28 Anoka (7, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 8/30 St. Louis (7, Brighton Beach) SNe, KJB, StK, IDv, HTo. Late north 9/25 Lake (Knife River Marina) JWL, Pine (5) ebd, 10/2 Lake (Scenic Dr.) SLL, JWL (median 9/23). Late south 9/24 Dakota KDS, Dodge JGW, Ramsey TAn, ebd (median 9/25).
Yellow Warbler
(Setophaga petechia)
3248 Seen statewide. High counts 8/15 St. Louis (26, Western Waterfront Trail) JLK, 8/20 Otter Tail (17, Orwell WMA) SSP. Late north 9/20 Polk SAu, 9/21 Cook ebd, 9/22 St. Louis (Lakewood Twp.) JfD, 9/30 St. Louis (near Lester Park) ebd (median 9/27). Late south 9/26 Hennepin (2, Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, 9/27 Hennepin (Crystal) ebd, 9/30 Scott BDG, Wabasha MNb (median 9/28).
Chestnut-sided Warbler
(Setophaga pensylvanica)
2845 Found statewide, though absent from 8 of the 13 westernmost counties. High counts 9/19 St. Louis (36, Brighton Beach) IDv, SeM, HTo, 9/3 Anoka (30, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) DnS, ASu. Late north 9/25 St. Louis BPR, 9/26 Lake (2) KeL, 9/28 Todd JLK (median 10/1). Late south 10/3 Anoka ebd, Yellow Medicine MiO, 10/8 Hennepin HCT (median 10/3).
Blackpoll Warbler
(Setophaga striata)
1728 Early north (median 8/22) 8/16 St. Louis ebd, (2) JsC, 8/17 Grant CNn, 8/19 Cook (8) ebd. Early south (median 8/22) 8/19 Meeker PKF, 8/20 Lyon GWe, 8/21 Carver (2) JCy, Meeker PKF, Sibley BTS, MiO. High count 9/10 St. Louis (18, Brighton Beach) HTo, StK, SeM, IDv. Late north 9/26 Cook ebd, St. Louis (2) IDv, ASu, HTo, ebd, 9/28 Lake JWL, 9/29 Morrison DLP (median 10/4). Late south 10/2 Dakota DFN, Sherburne PLJ, 10/8 Anoka CF (median 10/1).
Black-throated Blue Warbler
(Setophaga caerulescens)
415 Early south (median 8/28) 8/22 Steele PSu, 8/23 Anoka CF, 8/26 Ramsey EzH, IsH, DnS. High count 9/3 Anoka (5, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) EzH. Late north 8/26 Cook (3) ebd, 9/8 Crow Wing ebd, 9/18 Polk ebd. Late south 10/8 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) LSc, Ramsey ebd, 10/11 Hennepin (Mississippi Gateway R.P.) ebd, 10/23 Hennepin (Bloomington) ebd, 11/5 Hennepin (Edina) TAT (median 10/12).
Palm Warbler
(Setophaga palmarum)
2748 The most south reporting counties ever for the fall season. Early south (median 8/28) 8/16 Hennepin (Westwood Hills N.C.) ebd, 8/20 Hennepin CMB, 8/21 Anoka DFN, DPG, Carver JCy, Meeker PKF. High counts 10/5 St. Louis (250, Central Hillside neighborhood, Duluth) NGi, 9/19 St. Louis (236, Brighton Beach) IDv, SeM, HTo. Late north 10/26 St. Louis (5, Stony Point) SeM, 10/29 St. Louis (McQuade Small Craft Harbor) ASu, 10/30 Cook NMe, NSg (median 10/26). Late south 10/25 Ramsey AnA, 10/30 Anoka GWe, 11/19 Dakota KDS (median 10/24).
Pine Warbler
(Setophaga pinus)
2117 Most reports north of a line from Otter Tail to Houston, though also found in Grant, Lyon, Brown, Nicollet, Freeborn. High count 9/3 Anoka (5, Linwood Lake) KEm, JWH, JGW. Late north 9/28 Itasca SC, 9/29 Wadena AAz, 9/27 – 10/3 Crow Wing (Crow Wing Twp.) PSP (median 9/30). Late south 9/24 Brown (2) ebd, Stearns ebd, 10/2 Nicollet BAb, 10/4 Hennepin ebd, 11/21 Washington DGW (median 10/2).
Yellow-rumped Warbler
(Setophaga coronata)
3452 Reported from every county except Jackson. Early south (median 8/20) 8/8 Sherburne HHD, 8/14 Chisago RBW, Ramsey LiH. High counts 10/5 St. Louis (12,134, census over 4.3 hours from Central Hillside neighborhood of Duluth) NGi, 10/5 St. Louis (3,217, H.R.N.R.) SeM, 9/26 St. Louis (1,774, H.R.N.R.) SeM. Late north 11/6 Lake SLL, 11/8 St. Louis (Virginia) ebd, 11/14 St. Louis (Park Point R.A.) MLH (median 11/14). See winter report for late south migrants.
YELLOW-THROATED WARBLER
(Setophaga dominica)
12 All reports: 8/11 Houston (Reno, Hillside Rd.) †JGW, 8/22 Washington (Afton S.P.) LyH, 11/9 Cass (Lake Winnibigoshish, Tamarack Point) ph. AxB.
Black-throated Green Warbler
(Setophaga virens)
2136 Most reports from the eastern two-thirds of the state. Early south (median 8/19) 8/9 Anoka (Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 8/20–21 Carver JCy, 8/21 Blue Earth BTS, MiO, Hennepin (2) ebd, Lyon GWe, NMe, Ramsey LiH. High counts 9/4 Anoka (12, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) FFa, 9/10 Scott (9, Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) ebd. Late north 9/27 St. Louis HTo, 9/28 Cook (Grand Marais) LWd, 10/1 Kanabec BAb, 10/5 Cook (Grand Marais) LWd (median 9/29). Late south 10/6 Meeker PKF, 10/7 Dakota CRe, 10/13 Ramsey ebd, 10/20 Hennepin ebd (median 10/9).
Canada Warbler
(Cardellina canadensis)
2342 Early south (median 8/13) 8/11 Houston JGW, 8/13 Ramsey (2) LiH, ebd, Sherburne HHD, PLJ, 8/14 also in Anoka, Brown, Kandiyohi, Ramsey, Steele (2). High counts 8/27 Carver (12, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy, 9/3 Anoka (12, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) DnS. Late north 9/17 Morrison (7) SEm, 9/19 St. Louis HTo, SeM, IDv, 9/20 Aitkin LBa, St. Louis ClN, KDx, ClN (median 9/17). Late south 9/24 Brown (2) ebd, Steele PSu, 9/28 Hennepin ebd, 10/1 Olmsted BLa (median 9/24).
Wilson's Warbler
(Cardellina pusilla)
2649 Reported statewide. Early south (median 8/15) 8/15 Stearns ebd, 8/16 Anoka GWe, Rice GHo, Sherburne ebd. High counts 8/24 Anoka (17, Rice Creek Chain of Lakes P.R.) GWe, 8/28 Rock (9, Big John’s W.M.A.) ebd. Late north 9/18 St. Louis (H.R.B.O.) FJN, Todd SDi, 9/19–22 St. Louis (Brighton Beach) SeM, IDv, HTo, m.ob., 9/22 Lake ebd (median 9/22). Late south 9/26 Hennepin (Veterans Memorial Park) ebd, (Mother Lake) JHv, 9/28 Ramsey ebd, BBr, 10/2 Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) ebd, Lyon GWe (median 9/30).
Tanagers, Cardinals, Grosbeaks
Summer Tanager
(Piranga rubra)
44 The most fall reports (11 individuals) since 2010. All north 10/13–19 Lake (Two Harbors) JWL, KRE, ebd, 10/30 Cook (immature male, Grand Marais) AnB, TPu, m.ob., 11/9 Clay (Barnesville) TkL, 11/9–13 Pennington (female, Thief River Falls) ebd, HHu, 11/18 Cook (female, Grand Marais) JGW. All south included up to three first found in summer lingering until 8/26 Scott (Murphy-Hanrehan P.R.) LMo, ebd; also 8/6, 8/17 Meeker PKF, 8/20 Brown (Eden Rd.) BTS, 11/13 Dakota (female, Ravenna Twp.) TPu, MwT, AnB.
Scarlet Tanager
(Piranga olivacea)
2738 Found in all regions. High count 8/30 Blue Earth (5, Minneopa S.P.) ebd. Late north 9/24 Otter Tail BEc, St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) SEm, JsC, ebd, 9/26 St. Louis (H.R.N.R.) ebd, 10/29–30 Cook REn, RLF, m.ob. (median 9/25). Late south 9/28 Scott ebd, Winona (3) ebd, 10/1 Carver KBg, ebd, Pope BKn, 10/5 Stearns HHD (median 10/4).
Northern Cardinal
(Cardinalis cardinalis)
2653 Absent from only from Wilkin, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, and five Northwest counties. High count 9/24 Hennepin (29, Minnesota Valley N.W.R., Bass Ponds) JCa.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
(Pheucticus ludovicianus)
3145 Found in every region, though fewest reports from the Southwest. Late north 9/29 Itasca ebd, 9/29 – 10/2 Otter Tail ebd, 10/9 Todd JBu, 11/4–11 Beltrami (Knutson Dam) AxB, REn (median 10/6). Late south 10/9 Ramsey ebd, 10/10–12 Scott BHe, 10/12 Hennepin (Eden Prairie) ebd, 10/14 Meeker PKF, 11/3 Hennepin (Pond Dakota Mission) TPu (median 10/31).
Blue Grosbeak
(Passerina caerulea)
8 All reports from the Southwest, or from McLeod (Spruce Ridge Waste Management Facility), Hennepin (Flying Cloud Athletic Fields) or Dakota (140th St. Marsh). Juveniles reported from the last two locations. Late south 9/5 Cottonwood JnH, 9/5–16 Dakota MaS, ebd, 9/23 Nobles EHi (median 8/26).
Indigo Bunting
(Passerina cyanea)
2547 Reported from every region. High count 8/21 Carver (17, Carver P.R., Grimm Rd.) JCy. Late north 9/25 Morrison (3) JLK, St. Louis (Leif Erickson Park) ebd, 9/25–30 Todd (max. 3) JLK, 9/26 Clay DPW, 10/5 St. Louis (Stony Point) KRE, m.ob., (median 9/29). Late south 10/5 Steele PSu, Washington PNi, 10/8 Carver TWe, Hennepin (Old Cedar Ave. Bridge) LSc, (Coldwater Spring) BLz, ebd (median 10/11).
PAINTED BUNTING
(Passerina ciris)
1 Only the fifth fall record and one of the very few females to be found in the state: 11/11 Polk (Agassiz Audubon Sanctuary) ph. †HHu.
Dickcissel
(Spiza americana)
938 Found in every region except the North-central. High counts 8/11 Rice (16, Prairie Creek W.M.A.) GHo, 8/9 Anoka (9, Blaine Wetland Sanctuary) ebd. Late north 9/30 Todd JLK, 10/2 St. Louis FJN, 10/29 Lake (Two Harbors) KCR, IsH, EzH, ph. †KEm, m.ob. (median 8/20). Late south 9/19 Ramsey GWe, 9/22 Olmsted LHl, LHl, 9/26 Lincoln ANy, 10/1 Pipestone KEm, JWH (median 9/7).